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3) Some broad observations can be made concerning the four parties that earned
significant shares of the vote in Bangkok. The Democrat Party lost its political appeal among
the voters and experienced a paradox of its own institutional strength. The former winners of
the constituencies were reendorsed to the candicacy, while the runner-ups decided to move
to other parties especially the Pro-coup Palang Pracharat. The Pheu Thai Party survived and
developed a new electoral strategy to deal with pressure from the political regime and the
unfavorable conditions resulting from the institutional arrangements for the election. The Palang
Pracharat Party had an advantage, as it is part of the incumbent political regime, and it gained
further advantage from the new electoral system. The Palang Prachart Party was also able to
seize existing local electoral networks. The Future Forward Party successfully turned the crisis
generated by the political restructuring into an opportunity to make a new social movement
in the form of a new political party that embraced a new political identity characterized by
the new generation, hope, and change. The Future Forward Party also made considerable use
of new technology, new media, and political innovation. The popularity of the Future Forward
Party drew criticism and political attacks.
4) The strategies and tactics used by political parties and candidates in their election
campaigns played crucial roles in their electoral success or failure. To be successful, parties
and candidates must know their constituency very well, especially voter demography.
They must also understand various forms of community which is the core polity where the
political campaign and political decisions take place; i.e the socalled “traditional community”
and the “gated housing estate”. Clientelism in Bangkok does not operate city-wide, but it is
still crucial for the success of an election campaign and electoral victory in some areas. Parties
and candidates must know how to use conventional media and new/social media to achieve
desired impacts.
5) The electoral irregularities and electoral fraud committed by the Bangkok
candidates in the 2019 general election were complex and dynamic. The public has also become
suspicious of activities by state agencies and the existing political regime to regulate elections.
6) The results of the 2019 general election in Bangkok reflect a multi-layered
political conflict in Thailand. The dominant model of voting behavior in this election is the
mix of strategy and emotions.