The Bangkok gubernatorial election, held early this month amid great fanfare, saw incumbent Gov. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, from the national opposition Democrat Party, hold on for another term despite having implemented a number of failed policies during the past four years.

Sukhumbhand won the election with a record-high number of votes, surpassing 1.25 million votes. According to the official result of the full vote count on March 3, Sukhumbhand gained 1.25 million votes, defeating Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, who had 1.07 million votes. Pongsapat had been nominated by the ruling Peua Thai Party and reportedly had been specially handpicked by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

After the votes were counted, Sukhumbhand expressed his gratitude to the people who helped him to get more than 1 million votes in the election. He pledged to work harder and be more committed to serve the Bangkokians.