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Pracharath Party was elected as MPs; such candidates included Yotakan Fongngam (daughter

of Suphon Fongngam, the former secretary-general of Pheu Thai Party), Cherdsak Phokkunlanon
(son of Adisak Phokunlanon. a former Pheu Thai Party List MP), and Sutthichai Charunnet

(a former Pheu Thai MP in 2011).

4) The following factors influenced Ubon Ratchathani voters’ decisions during
the general election under the 2017 Constitution. (1) candidates’ political party affiliation, policy,

political ideology (pro- or anti-General Prayut Chan-o-cha); (2) the money spent on vote-buying;
(3) the individual condition of the candidates.

4.1) Political party

With the use of polls, the data on the voters’ behavior was collected in ten
constituencies. It indicated that the major factor was the voters who liked Palang Pracharath Party

in Ubon Ratchathani tended to be the elderly. They wanted peace and received the money from
the campaign of the social welfare card. They expected that the party would help them repay their

debts and reclaim their land. In the meantime, most working age or middle-age voters preferred
Pheu Thai Party because they were confident in the economic policy and hoped that it would boost

the grassroots economic situation. Supporters also hoped the party would eliminate problems of
drugs in their communities. In addition, most people did not like the military dictatorship. It was

believed that this dictatorship was the reason for the bad economic situation. There was lack of
financial liquidity; people did not have enough to spend and were indebted.

Meanwhile, new voters that include teenagers and those at their early twenties are worth

mentioning. They were students who belonged to the young generation and liked Future Forward
Party as they wished to see political changes in the country.

The scores of the MPs from Future Forward Party in many constituencies were ranked

in the third order. They were obviously above Bhumjaithai Party, Democrat Party and many other
parties. Those constituencies were 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 and this was considered a new phenomenon.

In other words, although the candidates from the Future Forward Party were less known or even
unknown as they never set foot in the actual areas before, and although they never bought votes,

the voters still voted for them. It was because they liked the leader of the party, Thanathorn
Juangroongruangkit. The policies were innovative and challenged the existing regime. The message

was effectively conveyed to the targeted group through many media channels.