Page 10 - kpiebook63010
P. 10

9








                          3) Some broad observations can be made concerning the four parties that earned

                  significant shares of the vote in Bangkok. The Democrat Party lost its political appeal among
                  the voters and experienced a paradox of its own institutional strength. The former winners of

                  the constituencies were reendorsed to the candicacy, while the runner-ups decided to move
                  to other parties especially the Pro-coup Palang Pracharat. The Pheu Thai Party survived and

                  developed a new electoral strategy to deal with pressure from the political regime and the
                  unfavorable conditions resulting from the institutional arrangements for the election. The Palang

                  Pracharat Party had an advantage, as it is part of the incumbent political regime, and it gained
                  further advantage from the new electoral system. The Palang Prachart Party was also able to

                  seize existing local electoral networks. The Future Forward Party successfully turned the crisis
                  generated by the political restructuring into an opportunity to make a new social movement

                  in the form of a new political party that embraced a new political identity characterized by
                  the new generation, hope, and change. The Future Forward Party also made considerable use

                  of new technology, new media, and political innovation. The popularity of the Future Forward
                  Party drew criticism and political attacks.


                          4) The strategies and tactics used by political parties and candidates in their election

                  campaigns played crucial roles in their electoral success or failure. To be successful, parties
                  and candidates must know their constituency very well, especially voter demography.

                  They must also understand various forms of community which is the core polity where the
                  political campaign and political decisions take place; i.e the socalled “traditional community”

                  and the “gated housing estate”. Clientelism in Bangkok does not operate city-wide, but it is
                  still crucial for the success of an election campaign and electoral victory in some areas. Parties

                  and candidates must know how to use conventional media and new/social media to achieve
                  desired impacts.


                          5) The electoral irregularities and electoral fraud committed by the Bangkok

                  candidates in the 2019 general election were complex and dynamic. The public has also become
                  suspicious of activities by state agencies and the existing political regime to regulate elections.


                          6) The results of the 2019 general election in Bangkok reflect a multi-layered
                  political conflict in Thailand. The dominant model of voting behavior in this election is the

                  mix of strategy and emotions.
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15