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 ?

 

 

[jcmj]

I think they have been out of the front scene for too long. Before they had several rallies and speeches that gave people hope. They need to get back to this. It’s still not going to be easy to win over the elite, but it’s definitely going to help open peoples eyes and minds. At least the under 40’s-50’s

[klauskunkel]

On 5/13/2025 at 6:45 AM, webfact said:

Moving forward, a lesson in maintaining steady popularity across elections could be crucial for the PP's continued political relevance.

An unintended pun, as the People's Party (PP) is the successor to the second incarnation, Move Forward Party 

 

[Thingamabob]

People are not voting for the PP because they know from recent experience that the party won't be allowed to govern even if it wins local or national elections.

[damian]

On 5/13/2025 at 9:39 AM, 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. 😞

They didn't dissapoint me in the last election. But I don't necessarily disagree with your sentiment.

 

However, when they could see the light at the end of the tunnel only to have it cruely extinguished by a powerful force that lurks in gilded hallways and feasts at the tables of dirty deals, you can't really blame them for giving up and going back to their old habits. 

 

I also think that PP losing Pita as the front man has cost them a lot. Maybe in 9 years he will return and try again.  I hope so. 

[The Alien]

Thailand’s political scene is hopeless. 

[FlorC]

24 minutes ago, The Alien said:

Thailand’s political scene is hopeless. 

As in most other countries.

Luckily Thailand has coups.

[Hunz Kittisak]

On 5/13/2025 at 11:00 AM, KireB said:

Vote buying is rife in many pollingvareas.

How convenient the losers use this whenever results don’t go their way. 
Thaksin is back and voters can see the good that has happened since 

[KireB]

7 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

How convenient the losers use this whenever results don’t go their way. 
Thaksin is back and voters can see the good that has happened since 

My wife was offered money, you simpleton

[Jim Blue]

Did she report it ?

[Lorry]

On 5/13/2025 at 9:39 AM, 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. 😞

You are not fair to them.

The change of a political system doesn't happen easily,  neither fast.

It often takes generations. Look at other countries' history. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

The latest scandal of course being the young politician's son who rammed an elderly couple in his BMW and was subsequently elected.

 

You can't help these people. Their greed, corruption, stupidity, and lack of foresight are too deeply ingrained.

[FlorC]

12 hours ago, KireB said:

My wife was offered money, you simpleton

You can take the money and still vote for someone else.

[hughrection]

10 hours ago, Lorry said:

You are not fair to them.

The change of a political system doesn't happen easily,  neither fast.

It often takes generations. Look at other countries' history. 

I disagree. They have an option at the ballot box and they choose to stick with the current crowd.  Why can't they give control to a party (PP) that will actually drive the country forward in a positive way ? If it doesn't work out then go back to what they are doing now But for goodness sake, take a chance.

[hughrection]

1 hour ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

The latest scandal of course being the young politician's son who rammed an elderly couple in his BMW and was subsequently elected.

 

You can't help these people. Their greed, corruption, stupidity, and lack of foresight are too deeply ingrained.

There's a reason why they insist on a Bachelors Degree minimum if you want to become a politician. I did not understand this requirement when I came here first, but I do now. 🙂

[scorecard]

On 5/14/2025 at 8:39 AM, jcmj said:

I think they have been out of the front scene for too long. Before they had several rallies and speeches that gave people hope. They need to get back to this. It’s still not going to be easy to win over the elite, but it’s definitely going to help open peoples eyes and minds. At least the under 40’s-50’s

Very true. The new breed parties can win large numbers of seats, that's proven. But they can't yet control or push aside the old guard especially the parties controlled by old military diehards who will and can rip up the results lists. Plus although they will deny it they they still engage in vote buying. And they still have access to big money Tony.

 

It will eventually change and the new guys will have to persevere for that change a long time into the future, and I wish them well.  

[Lorry]

5 hours ago, hughrection said:

I disagree. They have an option at the ballot box and they choose to stick with the current crowd.  Why can't they give control to a party (PP) that will actually drive the country forward in a positive way ? If it doesn't work out then go back to what they are doing now But for goodness sake, take a chance.

They did take a chance.

And it didn't work out.

They realized they do not have an option.

 

People are willing to die or go to prison if their kids are starving. 

They won't risk this for a better pick-up or a nicer educational system.

Look at Marcos I and Marcos II. Many other examples,  but I better don't go into details.