Battle to become city governor will dominate the landscape and define the outcome of development projects

People visit a flower garden along Phraya Suren canal in soi Kanchanapisek 6, Kanchanapisek Road, in the Tha Raeng area of Bang Khen district. Locals have developed their communities to turn them into learning centres for farming. (Photo by Varuth Hiranyathep)

This year promises to be eventful for Bangkok both in terms of local politics and development. Here are five major issues to watch out for in the year ahead.

Bangkok Governor Election

Previously, Bangkok governor contests were dominated by candidates from mainstream parties -- mainly the Democrats and other heavy-hitters such as Pheu Thai.

However, the next election -- slated to be held this year -- will pave the way for a new political landscape. While in previous years, candidates with ties to major political parties were likely to win, the game will be different this year as independent candidates emerge to avoid the backlash of political polarisation. Moreover, these independent candidates are hoping to win the backing of on-the-fence voters.

This year's poll will likely be a fierce battle between two candidates, Chadchart Sittipunt, a former minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government and a member of the Pheu Thai Party, and Rosana Tositrakul, a former senator and respected consumer rights activist.

Mr Chadchart has the upper hand due to his media savviness and use of social media to attract young voters along with his campaign pledge to improve the city with plans for better recycling and urban development. Mr Chadchart has been touted as the most likely candidate to win because of his ability to capture votes from supporters from opposition parties including Pheu Thai and the Future Foward Party. However, Mr Chadchart has had to work hard to prove that he is undoubtedly an "independent" candidate.

While Mr Chadchart has tried -- with moderate success -- to portray himself as an "independent candidate", consumer activist and former senator Ms Rosana has enjoyed a wave of support as an independent thanks to her reputation as a corruption buster.

Ms Rosana has tried to sell herself to voters as a new kind of Bangkok governor -- politically neutral and a social entrepreneur. Despite her appeal as an independent, Ms Rosana has the daunting task of proving herself as a suave executive who can manage officials.

Yet, it is not wise to rule out 'second-tier' candidates.

The Democrats will try hard to snap out of its political trance by looking to put party heavyweights in the running. There are unconfirmed reports that the shortlist of potential candidates for the Democrat Party for Bangkok governor include former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij, deputy leader Ong-art Klampaibul, commerce vice-minister Sansern Samalapa and former Bangkok MP Atavit Suwannapakdee. Whoever is chosen, the stakes are high as a loss will only compound the country's oldest political party's slide in the capital.

Previous elections and the current political situation teach us that we cannot underestimate the Palang Pracharath Party, which has defied its critics and gained in strength. The party still has aces up its sleeve with potential candidates such as current Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, deputy governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul or even former Bangkok deputy governor Taya Teepsuwan, Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta and party-list MP Watanya Wongopasi.

Chao Phraya Promenade

The pricey landscape development project has been a controversial issue since 2014. It was floated by the previous government of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and picked up by Bangkok governor Aswin.

The project will see the construction of a 14-kilometre promenade along the Chao Phraya River -- from Rama VII Bridge to Phra Pinklao Bridge -- at a cost of about 8.3 billion baht.

The project has drawn protest from civic groups, architects, and environmentalists who have warned that the project will lead to ecological damage and block natural flood drainage, as well as lead to riverbank erosion.

However, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is still pushing for the project and it is certain that the Riverside Assembly -- a network compromised of 35 civic groups -- will try and pressure the newly elected Bangkok governor to abandon it.

Dubious Garbage Incinerators

Garbage incinerators are touted as feel-good projects, however, the BMA's two incinerator projects are being investigated for corruption.

The two projects in question are a 5.6-billion-baht waste disposal system in Nong Khaem in western Bangkok and a similar facility, worth 5.7-billion baht, in On Nut in the Sukhumvit area.

City Hall announced the two winning bidders for the incinerators on Aug 30. Each incinerator will have the capacity to handle 1,000 tonnes of rubbish a day, however, graft buster Srisuwan Janya will today ask the auditor-general to take a closer look at the projects after accusing the BMA of offering to pay a high disposal fee to the contractors -- 900 baht per tonne as opposed to 250 baht to 490 baht per tonne in Khon Kaen and 300 baht per tonne paid by the Phuket municipality.

Last year, deputy governor Chakkaphan Phewngam reportedly quit because he did not want to be associated with incinerator projects linked to corruption. It remains to be seen how the new Bangkok governor will deal with these two incinerators.

Return of Street Food

The BMA's policy to clear pavements was criticised after a crackdown on street food vendors in 2016. The policy resulted in losses for the grassroots economy as pavements were the places of business for street food vendors -- providing jobs and also serving as a tourism magnet.

Three years on has resulted in stall-free pavements and a loss to the local economy after many food vendor spots in Bangkok were wiped out. The remaining 200 vendor spots are primarily in the Yaowarat area.

For reasons unknown, Bangkok governor Aswin announced a relaxation of the rules at the end of last year, saying food vendors would be allowed to return to some areas.

Bangkok Landscape

The new year will be a watershed moment in landscape development. In October, Bangkok was among 66 new members of Unesco's Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Bangkok was chosen as a Creative City in the Design category and to live up to this status, the BMA plans to launch "City Regeneration" landscape development projects in 2020. Some of these areas include the Kadee Jeen neighbourhood by the Chao Phraya River, the opening of a park near unfinished mass transit pillars along Phra Pokklao in the Thon Buri area, and the launch of "City Lab Silom", which aims to redevelop pavements on Silom Road.