| Election Name: | 2009 Bangkok gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Thailand |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Bangkok.svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Vote Type: | Popular |
| Party Name: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2008 Bangkok gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 2008 |
| Election Date: | 11 January 2009 |
| Next Election: | Bangkok gubernatorial election, 2013 |
| Next Year: | 2013 |
| Turnout: | 51.1% |
| Candidate1: | Sukhumbhand Paribatra |
| Party1: | Democrat |
| Popular Vote1: | 934,602 |
| Percentage1: | 44.41% |
| Candidate2: | Yuranun Pamornmontri |
| Party2: | Pheu Thai |
| Popular Vote2: | 611,669 |
| Percentage2: | 29.06% |
| Candidate4: | Nattakorn Devakula |
| Party4: | Independent |
| Popular Vote4: | 334,846 |
| Percentage4: | 15.91% |
| Colour5: | FFFF00 |
| Candidate5: | Kaewsan Atibodhi |
| Party5: | Krung Thep Mai |
| Popular Vote5: | 144,779 |
| Percentage5: | 6.88% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Apirak Kosayothin |
| Before Party: | Democrat |
| After Election: | Sukhumbhand Paribatra |
| After Party: | Democrat |
The ninth gubernatorial election for the city of Bangkok, Thailand was held on 11 January 2009.[1] The election came about after the resignation of Apirak Kosayothin on 13 November 2008, the incumbent who was only just re-elected a little more than a month (on 5 October 2008). the resignation stemmed from an indictment by the National Counter Corruption Commission or NCCC, in which Apirak was indicted for the controversial 6.6 billion Baht fire-engine procurement contract. The former Prime Minister and former Bangkok Governor Samak Sundaravej was also found guilty in the same verdict.[2] On 13 November Apirak announced his resignation saying: "Like the Democrat Party, I support a move that will perpetuate politics-for-people" at the same time maintaining his innocence and stating that his resignation should become an example of a change in Thai politics, his resignation triggered an automatic by-election.[3] By the end of the 11 January 2009, Sukhumband was declared the winner of the race, becoming the 15th Governor of Bangkok.[4]
On 1 December, the Election Commission allowed the registration of candidates. A total of 14 candidates registered. In accordance with the law, they picked numbers by which they would be assigned for the campaign. The three highest profile candidates were: MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, ML Nattakorn Devakula and Yuranun Pamornmontri.
MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the 56-year-old candidate of the Democrat Party,[5] is a former Foreign Minister. MR Sukhumband vowed to carry on with policies initiated by Governor Apirak and to continue the environmentalist agenda. He ran under the slogan: "Bring back Bangkokians' smiles".
ML Nattakorn Devakula, a 32-year-old Independent candidate, was a former TV host, popularly known as "Khun Pluem". He ran on the slogan: "Vote for me. Vote for the governor of the future".[6]
Yuranun Pamornmontri, the 45-year-old Puea Thai Party candidate, is a popular TV actor and film star.[7] [8]
Election posters of the Candidates:
The election and results were announced on the same day: