Bangkok: Academics from Thammasat University analyze local elections. Good party trends do not guarantee election wins. The results are mainly measured by 'individuals'. Assoc. Prof. Wasan Luengpraphat, Head of the Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University (TU), revealed that the upcoming local municipal elections nationwide on Sunday, May 11, 2025, have an interesting aspect: there are significantly more young people applying to be local political representatives. In addition, the policies used for campaigning have introduced various innovations and technologies to be applied to take care of people's lives. These things reflect progress and creativity in policy. However, this election is different from the elections for Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs), where we will see political parties and politicians at the national level clearly coming out to support them.
According to Thai News Agency, this is because the PAO election is a good indicator of popularity or the vote base of political parties and representatives in each constituency, through the selection of Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) members, including using this opportunity to build a base and strengthen the power of vote canvassers in various constituencies. Meanwhile, the municipal election may be less connected to national politics. However, there are still some connections. Later, it was found that some political parties, such as the Prachachon Party, announced their stance and were serious about supporting local politics at all levels, believing that building a foundation from the local stage would be an important force in creating strength for national political parties in the long run. However, the results of the recent provincial administrative organization elections, in which the Prachachon Party lost and missed its target in many provinces, are a good example that reflects that the po pularity of the party is not consistent with or related to the victory in local politics, but rather depends more on the individual.
A Thammasat scholar said that even though the Prachachon Party, which has passed on its position from the Future Forward Party and the Move Forward Party, is part of what has caused other political parties to pay more attention to local elections, another reason that cannot be denied is that since the beginning of decentralization more than 20 years ago, the role of local politics has become stronger and more important, causing a number of former ministers or members of the House of Representatives (MPs) to choose to work in this field.
'Although local politicians in many places have progressive ideas and initiate new policy approaches, in practice, these administrators still face many restrictions from rules and regulations that do not allow good creative ideas to break through the framework for the convenience of public service work. However, it is admirable that amidst the obstacles, many local administrators are still able to drive and push for the work to be of maximum benefit to the people. For this reason, politics at the local level is very important,' said Assoc. Prof. Wasan.
Assoc. Prof. Wasan also said that he would like to leave a message to those involved in organizing the election, such as the Election Commission (EC), to see the importance of local elections as much as national elections. Help facilitate convenience and flexibility by selecting the election date and time at the same time nationwide. It must be in line with the people's way of life, which will increase the proportion of eligible voters.
In addition, I personally think that the law stipulated in the Ministry of Interior's regulation that allows politicians at all levels to hold office for no more than two terms is an unreasonable regulation because allowing a politician to stay or leave office should be decided through the election process by the people only. It should not be the state's duty to handle such matters.
'If any politician has the ability to manage to the satisfaction of the local people and wants them to stay, such a regulation is contrary to the people's intention. It is true that in some countries, such an agenda may be set, but it is not enforced in a blanket manner throughout the country and at every level like ours. Instead, it usually occurs in the local area. In any area where the people have a consensus that there should be an agenda for politicians, these laws will be set,' said the Thammasat academic.