FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Appointee Bangkok Governor Aswin hints at run for elected term

Appointee Bangkok Governor Aswin hints at run for elected term

BANGKOK GOVERNOR Aswin Kwanmuang yesterday hinted that he might contest a gubernatorial race after being appointed to the post.

“I will need time to ponder my next step,” he said. “But if I decide to run for the Bangkok governor’s post in the future, I may jump in as an independent candidate.” He added that he was not affiliated with any political party. 
He had not accepted any invitations to contest the gubernatorial race under the banner of a political party, he said. 
Aswin has never contested an election for the post of Bangkok governor. He came to the top post of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) two years ago through a special order of Prime Minister and National Council for Peace and Order’s chief and Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. 
At the time, several allegations against elected Bangkok governor MR  Sukhumbhand Paribatra were cited as grounds for the incumbent’s immediate removal.
When asked to evaluate his own performance as the city governor, Aswin said he believed he must have scored about half of the possible points in a hypothetical scoring system. 
“I hope I can do better,” Aswin said. “That’s why I have now created online channels via which people can directly contact me. I want to listen to people and respond to their needs.” 
Aswin said that under his leadership the BMA would develop Bangkok in line with the junta-led 20-year national strategy, the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan and the 20-year Bangkok Development Plan. 
The BMA has set clear goals for 2018, he said. For example, within the next 100 days, the administration will make it possible for people to make advance appointments with doctors at BMA-run hospitals to reduce patient wait-times.
“We will set up 100 happiness-building centres across the capital to take care of people across various age groups,” Aswin added
Another project will install lights at an additional 6,065 locations in the capital to increase public safety. 
 

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