Thailand's new gubernatorial election tentatively set on Feb 17, 2013

BANGKOK, November 16 (TNA) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has tentatively set its new gubernatorial election date on February 17, 2013, as the term of incumbent Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra ends on January 10, 2013. BMA Permanent Secretary Ninnat Chalitanon told reporters Friday that BMA has started preparing for the new gubernatorial election, legally required to be held within 45 days after the incumbent Bangkok governor ends his four-year tenure. Ninnat acknowledged that the date for the new gubernatorial poll could be changed if the incumbent Bangkok governor decided to step down earlier than the schedule, saying that, in the case, the new Bangkok governor election is legally required to be held within 60 days. According to the BMA senior official, a budget of some 165 million baht has been earmarked to fund the new gubernatorial election. (TNA)