People’s Party Launches Ambitious ‘Hackable Bangkok 2026’ Campaign for Progressive Governance
PUBLISHED : 25 Feb 2025 at 18:38
The main opposition party, People’s Party (PP), is gearing up for a major push in Bangkok’s upcoming gubernatorial election with its newly unveiled “Hackable Bangkok 2026” campaign. This campaign aims to promote progressive policies aimed at resolving the city’s pressing issues.
Diving straight into the environmental crisis, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Bangkok MP and head of the party’s election strategy, emphasized the urgency of addressing air pollution, particularly fine dust known as PM2.5, which poses serious health risks including asthma and heart disease.
Mr. Nattacha warned that failure to tackle this issue could significantly strain the city’s resources. “We must prioritize the creation of dust-free zones,” he stated, highlighting the need for adequate funding to support these initiatives for the well-being of Bangkok residents.
Historically, the People’s Party has roots in the Future Forward and Move Forward parties, which previously dominated Bangkok’s political landscape. In the 2023 general election, Move Forward candidates captured 32 of the 33 constituencies in the city, setting a strong precedent for the upcoming elections.
Mr. Nattacha expressed confidence that the upcoming elections would focus more on policy substance than on individual personalities. “Bangkok voters seek the best policies for their future, not just public personas,” he articulated.
Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut attributed the current government’s inability to advance significant agendas to divisions within coalition parties. He affirmed that the People’s Party aims to create impactful changes without requiring executive power.
“Throughout the next year, we will refine our policies based on our ‘3 Real’ approach — real people, real situations, and real places,” Mr. Natthaphong stated. The party invites public participation in the “Hackable Bangkok 2026” campaign, encouraging citizens to share ideas, engage in forums, and even consider candidacy.
Currently, there are over five potential candidates being considered, all believed to have the qualifications to effectively manage the city. “We are focused on winning votes in all 50 districts during the gubernatorial election,” he revealed.
While praising Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s efforts, Mr. Natthaphong insisted that the city deserves more robust policies to tackle its challenges, including the pressing need for enhanced local authority in governance.
