Thailand’s Election Reflects Rise of ‘Hyper-Local’ Politics
Thailand held a general election on Sunday, , against a backdrop of slow economic growth and rising nationalism, with voters choosing a new parliament and weighing in on a referendum to rewrite the country’s constitution. While early polls suggested a lead for the reformist People’s Party, analysts suggest the conservative Bhumjaithai party is well-positioned to emerge as a key player, demonstrating the power of deeply rooted local networks in Thai politics.
The election is widely viewed as a contest between the Bhumjaithai Party, led by current Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and the People’s Party, headed by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. Pheu Thai, backed by the family of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is also vying for power, hoping for a resurgence with Thaksin’s nephew, Yodchanan Wongsawat, as its candidate.
Unlike the 2023 election, the unelected senate – traditionally dominated by conservatives – has no say in choosing the Prime Minister this time around. Opinion polls indicate that no single party will secure an overall majority, making a coalition government almost certain.
The success of Bhumjaithai, despite potentially losing the popular vote to the People’s Party by several million votes, highlights a significant trend in Thai politics: the importance of localized campaigning and strong grassroots connections. “Parties that invest in building strong local networks, with candidates deeply embedded in their provinces, naturally have an advantage over parties that rely mainly on national-level momentum,” explained Stithorn, an observer of Thai politics.
This strategy isn’t unique to Bhumjaithai. The Klatham Party has also gained traction by focusing on local politics and cultivating grassroots support, particularly in the north and south of Thailand. Klatham has actively recruited lawmakers from other parties, notably gaining 20 members from the conservative Palang Pracharath in late 2024, bolstering its position ahead of the 2026 election.
This emphasis on local networks raises questions about whether the electoral system accurately reflects the will of the electorate, according to Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a former Thai election commissioner. “What we are seeing with hyper-local politics is therefore less about policy popularity and more about the consequences of the rules themselves,” he said. “Was the system designed to ensure that parties with the most votes have a genuine chance to form a government? Or was it designed to reward parties that are better at managing local networks?”
Anutin Charnvirakul, a billionaire businessman, has stepped into a leadership role as other conservative parties, previously led by military figures like former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (who held office from 2014 to 2023), have lost influence. Bhumjaithai’s success isn’t necessarily driven by strong party affiliation, but rather by voters’ familiarity with individual candidates within their communities.
The election also included a referendum on rewriting a military-drafted constitution, which critics argue grants excessive power to the senate. Results of the referendum are pending. The outcome of both the parliamentary election and the constitutional referendum will shape Thailand’s political landscape for years to come.
