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The outcome of the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) in Ratchaburi province that took place yesterday (Sunday) is a clear indication that the newly set up – People’s Party, may need to undertake a retrospect of itself if it wants to achieve what it says it wants to do.
The election of the president of the PAO of Ratchaburi, a province where just over 44% of the people had voted in favor of the Move Forward Party (MFP) the predecessor of the People’s Party, comes as a surprise mainly due to the heavy margin of loss by Chairat Sak-Issapong, the candidate from the People’s Party.
Vivat Nitikanchana, the president-elect of the PAO, who was the contesting the polls to preserve his position, was backed by the ruling coalition members in the central government but none of the heavyweights had gone to campaign for Vivat.
On the other hand, nearly every heavyweight from the People’s Party had gone to Ratchaburi for more than a month now to campaign to get Chairat elected. The likes of former MFP leader – Pita Limjaroenrat, the current leader – Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, down to the ‘spiritual’ leader – Thananthorn Juangroongruangkit, all had gone to Ratchaburi to campaign and held rallies to entice the population to vote for People’s Party candidate – Chairat.
Those who landed in Ratchaburi from People’s Party to be the speakers at the rallies were some of the candidates who have been candidates for Prime Ministers and the top tier orators in the country.
As per the Election Commission (EC) the turnout during yesterday’s polling was around 75%, compared to 68% seen 4-years ago, which means that nearly most of those who participated in the May 2023 General Elections did come out to vote yesterday as well.
During the acceptance of the defeat speech Chairat, who looked grim, put on a brave face saying that the voters who voted for his party was nearly double the number that was recorded 4-years ago, which he said meant that the party was doing a good job.
Decentralization – What?
One of the big issues People’s Party and its predecessor parties – Move Forward and Future Forward, have all sought for more decentralization of power.
Most of the provincial elections have seen results that have not been conducive to the so called ‘orange’ parties. So far none of the provincial elections has seen any of the candidates from the orange side win.
Many political analysts wonder what has gone wrong with the orange side when it comes down to elections in the provinces.
Some could blame it on the ‘big houses’ (baan jai) but if that was the case then the outcome of in the General Elections should also show similar trend of Baan Jais making inroads but the outcome of the General Elections is very much for ‘orange’ side.
The stark difference between the outcome of the General Elections and the Provincial Elections can only lead people to believe that the orange side is good at generating momentum and ‘wave’ which was the case in 2019 and in 2023 General Elections.
A momentum built during elections for the entire country helped MFP get the 151 seats during 2023 General Elections but smaller and unexpected elections at the provincial level are not something that is a nationwide momentum building are being lost by the party.
Up Next – Phitsanulok
The next big litmus test for People’s Party is the contesting of the by-elections for the constituency seat in Phitsanulok province where there is a contest for the MP seat that was vacated after deputy House speaker and ex-Move Forward Party (MFP) member Padipat Santipada, was banned from politics by the Constitutional Court on August 7, 2024.
Phitsanulok, where the PAO elections were held on August 18, 2024, had seen the candidate handpicked by Padipat come 2nd in the PAO elections.
Siripan Prajak-ubon, the candidate from the orange side managed to get 104,163 votes, behind Monchai Wiwatthanat, who received 214,519 votes and Settha Jittijarurat was a distant 3rd, with just 13,759 votes.
For the by-election in Phitsanulok, People’s Party has put forward Natachanon “Folk” Chanaburanasak as the candidate.
The by-election for the MP seat is set for September 15th.
