PUBLISHED: 2 Feb 2025 at 11:00
The ruling Pheu Thai Party has secured a significant victory in the recent provincial administrative organization (PAO) elections, claiming 18 presidential seats. This was followed by coalition partner Bhumjaithai, which won 12 seats. In sharp contrast, the main opposition, the People’s Party, managed to capture only one seat during the elections held across 47 of Thailand’s 77 provinces.
In addition to the seats won by Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai, unofficial results indicate that independent candidates secured six PAO presidential seats, while the Democrat Party won four. Chartthaipattana and Prachachat each took two seats, with Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation each claiming one seat.
The People’s Party’s lone win occurred in Lamphun province, raising eyebrows among political analysts who observed that dominant political factions backed by various parties snatched up a considerable portion of the available PAO seats.
Leading up to the elections, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra actively campaigned to rally support for Pheu Thai candidates, particularly those led by his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Despite these efforts, Pheu Thai encountered losses in several provinces, including Chiang Rai, where Thaksin made multiple campaign visits. However, the party narrowly triumphed in Chiang Mai, Thaksin’s hometown.
