Pattaya –
Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem said he is ready for the Pattaya City upcoming mayoral election with many likely candidates (opponents) vying for his position. This will be the first election for Mayor in Pattaya in about a decade, primarily due to the 2014 military coup.
TPN media notes the final date for the election has not yet been decided by relevant Thai government agencies but is likely to be “sometime” in May. The election would fall on a Sunday and would feature a 24-hour alcohol sales ban per Thai law. Sonthaya has been mayor of Pattaya since September of 2018 when he was appointed to the position by the then military government, which has since returned to an elected government.
Mayor Sonthaya told the local associated Thai press this week, “This is a good opportunity for Pattaya people to have more choices and decisions and choose their future. The Covid -19 situation has affected people’s lives a lot, especially here in Pattaya. Many different political parties are enthusiastic and excited to take part in solving these problems and recover from Covid-19, including our own.”
“In the past three years, we (He and his team of deputy mayors) have done our best to develop Pattaya following ‘NEO Pattaya’ projects as well trying to solve many long-term problems. One of the main problems in Pattaya is flooding when we have had heavy rain for many hours. Previously, it took many hours for the floodwaters locally to decrease but now only takes one hour after we have increased the amount of water drainage systems. We continue to focus on this issue to hopefully alleviate flooding issues altogether.” Mayor Sonthaya added.
“We have also worked with local authorities and other government departments to solve many other problems. We are trying to make a better life for people and to boost the ‘Smart City projects for the future.”
“I am sure in the past three years Pattaya people are satisfied with what I have done for my job and I am continuing to do my best for Pattaya people and for the city. For roughly two out of my about three years as mayor we have had the unprecedented Covid-19 issues bringing many restrictions and hardships but now want to drive forward and bring life back to Pattaya.” Mayor Sonthaya explained.
“Candidates who are joining in this upcoming Pattaya election should work hard to make concrete plans about what they will do for our people and our city. Attacking others is not good to develop the city.” Sonthaya concluded.
As Pattaya looks to emerge from Covid-19 and restore its tourism industry, responsible for an estimated 85% of its GDP, which in 2019 was the 19th most visited city in the world with nearly 10 million foreign tourists (and another estimated 7 million domestic tourists), Pattaya will be a huge prize in upcoming elections. The city is also normally, when not suspended by the current Emergency Decree in place for Covid-19, a “Special Administrative Zone” which gives the mayor and officials significant authority, budget, and leeway to complete projects. Pattaya is also set to be the centerpiece of the Eastern Economic Corridor project and the “jewel” of the Eastern provinces of Thailand.
Bangkok is also set to hold governor elections around the same time as Pattaya in an equally significant election.
Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn visited Pattaya the past weekend and promised to field a candidate from his party for the election. You can read about that below:
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