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Executive Summary

The Study of Political Movements and Electoral

Behaviors of the 2019 General Election in Chiang Mai

Province

The March 24, 2019 general election under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand
2017 was crucial and directly associated with the development and changes of Thai politics.

The election was not only a political process, as an important component of democracy, but
was also a learning process concerning major political transitions as evidenced in the emergence

of the ideological discourses of democracy and polar opposites amid the political awakening
of eligible voters. The political expression that occurred appeared online and in public forums

was unprecedented and ongoing. At the same time, there are political activities of institutions
and political organizations, whether they be the government, Election Commission, political

parties and various political groups, which have a greater role and political interaction with the
people. The said election not only reflects the change and development of people’s political

participation, but also mirrors the level of preparation of political parties and candidates;
the 2019 general election saw more registered parties and candidates than any other election

in the history of Thai politics.

The election on March 24, 2019 is considered a challenge for the study of Thai political
development. The challenge encompasses the provisions of the 2017 Constitution and changes

to the electoral system with the introduction of a mixed member apportionment system (MMA),