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Abstract

Candidates of Pheu Thai Party have won almost every election in Khon Kaen Province

since the party was known as first Thai Rak Thai Party and then People’s Power Party. However,
after the coup d’état on 22 May 2014, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ruled the

country for five years before agreeing to hold a general election on 24 March 2019. Against the
background of political changes that occurred in the past five years and the emergence of many

new factors, this study examines electoral opinions and behavior of voters in Khon Kaen Province.
It seeks to determine whether voters’ support and loyalty for Pheu Thai Party has remained as

strong as in the past and for what reasons. The author based the study on examine of various
relevant documentary sources, in-depth interviews and participant observation in ten electoral districts

in Khon Kaen Province. It was found that General Prayut Chan-o-cha was able to capitalize on
several occurrences and regulations put into place ahead of the election to return to the position

of the prime minister. In regard to the election results, the author shows that, despite the victory
of Palang Pracharat Party in electoral district 2, most voters in Khon Kaen felt affiliated with parties

that supported the democratic side.

Keywords: the 2019 General Election; Election Competition; Khon Kaen Province