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Abstract

A research report on “ The Election for the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative

Organization Chief Executive and Councilors B.E. 2563 (2020)” includes qualitative data from in-
depth interviews, group interviews, and participatory observation, as well as data from
questionnaire surveys (Survey Research) of 2 3 6 eligible voters from 1 5 districts in Chiang Mai
province, and 4 0 0 samples of Chiang Mai University students (youths). The objectives of this

research were to: 1) examine, and understand data and statistics relating to Chiang Mai Provincial
Administrative Organization elections, including the political climate surrounding the election of
the chief executive and council members. 3) study on voters' attitudes and political behaviors,
and also the factors influencing their voting decisions in Chiang Mai Province. 4) study problems

and crucial issues affecting the election of the chief executive and the council members of Chiang
Mai Provincial Administrative Organization.

The results showed that the election of the chief executive and the council members of
the PAO in Chiang Mai was an election that competed between two parties, the Pheu Thai Party
and the Chiang Mai Kunnatum group. It was the first election to demonstrate the role and

influence of political parties in local election, despite the fact that no candidate is required to be
affiliated with a political party. In the election of the PAO in Chiang Mai province, the majority of
the candidates were veterans or used to be former politicians and political leaders. Even though

independent candidates did not run as members of political parties, their election campaigns
were associated with national political parties. The election campaigning strategy employed a
method of establishing a connection with the area. There were policies that emphasized
developing and solving specific problems in Chiang Mai Province through the use of campaign

posters, political campaign speeches, and meetings with local people and communities rather
than through the use of online media. While vote-buying is still visible through vote canvassers,
voting behavior reflects how the definition of money-buying votes has shifted to wages or
compensation that make money, and there is no guarantee that the payees will vote for the

transfers. According to the survey results, the majority of people understand and are interested
in local election. They believe that factors such as political party affiliation and being a former
leader in the area influence election voting. While the survey of Chiang Mai University students
revealed that many students lack knowledge and understanding about the PAO election in Chiang

Mai province. Students place an emphasis on policy and political party. Students have a tendency
to abstain from exercising their right to vote in accordance with their domicile and submit requests
to preserve their rights due to travel restrictions that limit voting to one day. There were no pre-
election or out-of-field elections, as there have been in general elections. This link to an electoral

management issue that has suggested local elections should be held in advance or outside of

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โครงการศึกษาการเลือกตั้งระดับท้องถิ่น ปี 2563: การเลือกตั้งสมาชิกสภาองค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดและนายกองค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดเชียงใหม่