Bangkok’s gubernatorial hopefuls thronged city hall this morning to draw the numbers that will serve as their identifiers for the upcoming governor’s race.
Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the nominee of the Democrat Party, reportedly drew the number 16 while his main rival, Pongsapat Pongcharoen from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, received the number nine.
Thairath wrote that the pro-Democrat crowd was moaning with disappointment after Sukhumbhand picked up the two-digit number. The former governor, who is seeking a second term, previously revealed that he yearned for either the number two or the number nine.
In contrast, Pheu Thai’s fans screamed with joy as soon as Pongsapat, a former deputy police chief, put his hands up with the number nine, an auspicious number in Thai society.
The other major candidates’ numbers are as follows: former national police chief Pol Gen Sereepisut Taemeeyaves has number 11; former Spring Corporation chairman Kosit Suvinijjit has number 10; independent candidate DJ Suharit Siamwalla has number 17.
On the first day of registration for the governor’s race, the field of candidates numbers 17 in total. Other candidates must register by Jan. 25 in order to compete in the Mar. 3 election.
