Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt says that running for Bangkok governor is something best left for the future, not now.
Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt travels on a third-class train from Bangkok to Nong Khai in October last year to attend a presentation on the government's infrastructure scheme. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
The minister said on Friday that he was not thinking about Bangkok politics as he was still busy concentrating on transport issues.
"Nobody approached me. I've never thought about it and I'm not interested because my job on transport is unfinished," said the man who has become the main salesman for plans to overhaul the transport system under the 2-trillion-baht infrastructure bill.
The bill was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitution Court on Wednesday. The court singled out the plan to borrow the huge sum of money rather than allocate funds from the central budget as the main problem.
Despite the months-long campaign to unseat Yingluck Shinawatra and her caretaker government, Mr Chadchart remains popular with large segments of the public.
His down-to-earth lifestyle and hands-on working style - he's taken frequent bus and train trips to experience commuter life - have mostly spared him from attacks by anti-government protesters.
The Pheu Thai Party had hoped to leverage his popularity and have him run in a new election for the capital's governor, if the opportunity arises.
A new contest could be possible after the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday disqualified MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra. The final decision rests with the Appeals Court which will make the ruling on the issue. The EC could forward the case to the court next week.
The EC voted to call a new election after finding substance to allegations that the Democrat incumbent's supporters slandered Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen of Pheu Thai during three public forums last year.
MR Sukhumbhand scored a convincing victory in the election on March 3 last year, even though most opinion polls said he was destined to lose.
Pheu Thai members have said Mr Chadchart has a better chance than most to win against the Democrat.
Mr Chadchart said the Bangkok governor's position requires more skills than transport as it involves health, education, social welfare and other issues. "I'm not the man who knows everything," he said.
But he said he still has time left to make the decision.
His popularity in social media is largely linked to his lifestyle which could not be translated into votes in politics, he added.
The minister became an internet superstar earlier this year when someone posted a picture of him walking out of his home to offer food to monks. Creative social media users took the single image of a man wearing a sleeveless black shirt and shorts and transformed it into all kinds of images with superhero themes.