Politics PP Faces Crushing Defeat in Local Polls, Old Politics Thrive

[webfact]

File photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand's People's Party (PP) has suffered a significant setback in the latest municipality elections, revealing possible cracks in its support base. Political experts are now urging the PP to draw lessons from this experience as they gear up for the upcoming general election.

 

Sunday's elections spanned 2,463 municipalities, encompassing diverse city types, from Nakhon and Muang municipalities to Tambon municipalities.

 

Over 60,515 candidates vied for municipal council seats, while 4,558 competed for mayoral positions. The elections filled 2,128 mayoral seats and 33,346 municipal council positions, previously vacated in March.

 

Despite expectations, PP candidates were largely outperformed, especially in major battlegrounds against local political elites and established parties like the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

 

Unofficial results showcased the dominance of familiar faces. For instance, in Chiang Mai, former mayor Assanee Buranupakorn from Pheu Thai triumphed over PP's Thirawut Kaewfong. In contrast, Nonthaburi's Nakhon Pak Kret saw Wichai Bandasak, another former mayor, secure victory over the PP's Passakorn Thitithanawanich.

 

The PP fielded substantial numbers but had little to show for it. Out of 15 mayoral candidates in Nakhon municipality elections, zero succeeded. Whereas, in Muang and tambon municipalities, significantly fewer candidates managed to clinch positions, hinting at disappointingly low outcomes compared to party ambitions.

 

In Nakhon Pathom, Somchok Pongkwan from the Santi Tham group narrowly won over PP's Chatchawal Nanthasarn by a margin of a mere 1,126 votes, highlighting the fierce competition. Wanwichit Boonprong, political science expert at Rangsit University, remarked to the Bangkok Post about the entrenched nature of traditional politics, which remains unyieldingly dominant in rural areas.

 

Local political clans appear to have a stronghold, diminishing prospects for new contenders. This power dynamic suggests local elections seldom contribute to significant shifts in national politics, leaving many voters disenchanted, viewing the process as redundant.

 

Thanaporn Sriyakul, director at the Political and Public Policy Analysis Institute, lamented PP's dismal performance, noting that less than 15% of its 94 mayoral candidates were successful. Given PP's notable vote share in the 2023 general elections, this local defeat is telling.

 

Thanaporn argues the PP can no longer downplay local polls as distinct from national polls. Other political players are quickly adapting, tapping into younger demographics previously monopolized by the PP.

 

Moving forward, a lesson in maintaining steady popularity across elections could be crucial for the PP's continued political relevance. Consistency, as emphasized, is paramount to electoral success.

 

Overall, the election results underscore the enduring influence of established political forces, a scenario the PP must navigate wisely if it seeks a stronger comeback.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-13

 

 

[Pouatchee]

looks like PP missed the boat last time. unfortunately we are likely in for a third shin dynasty that is here to last

[Gottfrid]

Oh yeah! good ole Tony is back.

[hughrection]

It is true that the people get the government that they deserve and my god, Thai's deserve everything that is coming their way.

Here they were presented with the perfect opportunity to change the course of their lives and their kid's lives & they didn't take it. They sold their votes & didn't even have the good sense to say that they would vote for one particular person and then vote for whomever they liked. They seem to lack the intelligence to even do such a simple thing.

 

I have lived here 20 years and they disappoint every time. A bunch of whingers just looking for their next 'free money'  handout without the realisation that It Isn't Free. They and their kids will pay for it over time.

 

You get the government that you deserve Thai people & you deserve only the worst that is coming your way. Sickening. 😞

[KireB]

20 minutes ago, hughrection said:

It is true that the people get the government that they deserve and my god, Thai's deserve everything that is coming their way.

Here they were presented with the perfect opportunity to change the course of their lives and their kid's lives & they didn't take it. They sold their votes & didn't even have the good sense to say that they would vote for one particular person and then vote for whomever they liked. They seem to lack the intelligence to even do such a simple thing.

 

I have lived here 20 years and they disappoint every time. A bunch of whingers just looking for their next 'free money'  handout without the realisation that It Isn't Free. They and their kids will pay for it over time.

 

You get the government that you deserve Thai people & you deserve only the worst that is coming your way. Sickening. 😞

Vote buying is rife in many pollingvareas.

[Jim Blue]

33 minutes ago, hughrection said:

 

 

You get the government that you deserve Thai people & you deserve only the worst that is coming your way. Sickening. 😞

Well they gave the new boys a chance first time and they got banned ...bad legal advice concerning a small matter of a 180 mill baht loan.

Second time they wanted drastic changes to a law which ended up getting them banned again.

Perhaps Thai people are not so stupid, they simply decided it was better to stick with what they know and get on with life . 

If you want only the worst for your Thai hosts and feel " sickened "  perhaps its time you packed up and went to another place ?