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are problems in selection of candidates in many constituencies; feeling bored of sending heirs as

candidates.

In addition, the political standpoint has effect to the Democrat Party when Abhisit Vejjajiva,
leader of the Party, announced that he would not support General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who was

nominated as Prime Minister from the PPRP to be prime minister after the election. The popularity
of the Democrat Party was diminished during the last week before the election, meanwhile PPRP

has received benefits from this issue, resulting in winning the election in 4 constituencies even
though the candidates did not have any outstanding qualifications. Therefore, when compared to

the votes in the previous elections, it was found that the candidates of the Democratic Party that
won the three constituencies were based on personal vote, while the popularity of the party has

changed to other parties especially PPRP.

2. Economical context, this election took place in an atmosphere of economic downturn

resulting in affecting the lives of people at large. Various store operators there are fewer buyers.

Some places must be closed or sold. Agricultural laborers, such as in rubber and palm oil have
fallen in price. This economical context is linked to political context in the sense that this election
has many candidates to present their party platform as an alternative to solving economic problems

if winning elections and become government.

3. Societal context, this election is different from previous elections. There are many
first-time voters. Due to no election for 8 years, this 18-year-old first-time voters still has no

connection with any political parties, especially the Democrat Party, which has monopolized the
popularity of the Songkhla area because 8 years ago, the first-time voters just 10 years old.

Or when the NCPO seizing power, the first-time voters were only 13 years old. Therefore political
awareness of the young generation became clear in the last 1-2 years, while this election has many

political parties offering themselves as alternatives to the people. Including the Future Forward
Party (FFP) which is a party that has been very popular among young people until the trend of

“Fah Rak Pa” looks at the leader of the party like an idol-singers, actors.

In addition, the societal context that occurred in this election was widespread using of
social media- facebook, twitter and youtube, in exchanging news and information not only among

the youth or young people but also people in other groups. The widespread using of social media
is consistent with the rational choice theory in political decision making in the midst of sufficient

information.