18 gubernatorial hopefuls apply for heated race

The lot drawing for the Bangkok gubernatorial election saw Pheu Thai candidate Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen get Number 9 while his Democrat rival Sukhumbhand Paribatra drew Number 16.

Today was the first of five days for Bangkok governor hopefuls to register their candidacies. The venue, Bangkok city hall, was crowded and noisy with supporters of the 19 candidates also showing up. All will compete in the March 3 election to be successor of Sukhumbhand, the former governor. Sixteen of them applied in the morning and two more in the afternoon.

More candidates are expected to show up to register this week.

The candidates, who paid Bt50,000 for the registration, took turn to pick numbers. Pongsapat was the last to draw a lot. Former police chief Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyaves got number 11. Each candidate is allowed by law to spend no more than Bt49 million for the campaign.

List of candidates as of Monday, January 21

No 1 : Wila Udom (Independent)

No 2 : Warunchai Chokchana (Independent)

No 3 : Metta Temchamnarn (Independent)

No 4 : Sophon Pornchockchai (Independent)

No 5 : Samit Samittinun (Independent)

No 6 : Sunhapot Suksrimuang (Independent)

No 7 : Nutdanai Pubateattawit (Independent)

No 8 : Sumet Tuntanasirikul (Independent)

No 9 : Pongsapat Pongcharoen (Pheu Thai)

No 10 : Kosit Suwinitjit (Independent)

No 11 : Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyaves (Independent)

No 12 : Jongjit Hirunyalarp (Independent)

No 13 : Wasin Pirom (Independent)

No 14 : Prateep Watcharachokkasem (Independent)

No 15 : Jumras Intumarn (Independent)

No 16 : Sukhumbhand Paribatra (Democrat)

No 17 : Suharit Siamwala (Independent)

No 18: Nanpas Kosaiyakanon (independent)