Dramatic Council Uproar Spurred by Leadership Dispute in Bangkok
The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) held a meeting on Wednesday, but the debate over the election of a new chairman remained a contentious issue.
During the meeting, Mr. Surachit Phongsingwittaya, the current BMC chairman, expressed his disapproval of a proposed motion to hold a secret meeting to elect a new chairman. This motion was put forward by Mr. Narunananmon Huangsap, a BMC member for Klong Sam Wa district.
Mr. Wirat Meenchainunt, a Min Buri council member, clarified that submitting a motion is a BMC member's prerogative. However, the proposal caused chaos within the council, with Mr. Wirat protesting when the chairman, Mr. Surachit, ruled against including it on the agenda.
Mr. Surachit emphasised the importance of transparency in the council's work and questioned the urgency of the motion. He stated that he needed to review some documents first before adding it to the agenda. Mr. Wirat, on the other hand, asserted that the chairman must include the motion on the agenda as per members' rights.
Napapon Jeenakul, a council member for Bangkok Noi district, echoed Mr. Peerapol's stance, stating the matter was significant and unprecedented. The debate over the motion to elect a new chairman continued to intensify, with Mr. Peerapol Kanokwalai, a BMC council member for Phaya Thai district, requesting a recess during the meeting.
Despite the heated debate, it is unclear if a secret meeting to elect a new chairman will be held in the future. The BMC did not hold a secret meeting to elect a new chairman during the mentioned meeting. Mr. Wirat added that any recess or document review can be done afterwards.
The latest available news summaries and reports from July 2025 mainly focus on the BMC's collaboration with other cities and sustainable urban initiatives, such as the exploration of Shanghai’s waste separation system and the introduction of new strategies for environmental management and city development. However, these sources do not mention Surachit Phongsingwittaya by name or provide updates on council leadership disputes.
As the debate continues, the future of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council's leadership remains uncertain. The public will eagerly await further developments and updates on this ongoing issue.
The ongoing debate over the BMC's chairman election, due to a proposed motion for a secret meeting, has escalated into a contentious issue within the council. The discussion on this matter, considered significant and unprecedented, continues to intensify, with members advocating for transparency and adherence to members' rights. In the meantime, the latest policy-and-legislation updates and general-news reports focus on the BMC's collaborative initiatives, with no mention of the leadership dispute.
