Pheu Thai secures Udon Thani election win, credits Thaksin

The Pheu Thai Party celebrated a significant victory in the recent Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman election in Udon Thani, attributing the success largely to the influence of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. This triumph saw their candidate, Sarawut Pethpanomporn, secure a decisive win.

Anusorn Iamsa-ard, a member of Parliament for Pheu Thai, highlighted the combination of Sarawut’s political experience and the trust of locals in the party-led government as contributing factors. However, he emphasised Thaksin’s involvement in the campaign rally as the pivotal element in the victory.

“The main factor was that Thaksin helped Sarawut in a campaign rally in Udon Thani.”

Echoing this sentiment, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai noted Thaksin’s popularity and his past policies that resonated with local needs as reasons for the party’s success. The minister acknowledged Thaksin’s role in assisting the campaign, which he believes helped secure the win.

Thaksin himself expressed his congratulations to Sarawut on November 24 via a video call, offering encouragement for continued success leading up to the next General Election. This call took place while Sarawut and Pheu Thai supporters monitored the ballot count.

Sarawut, in turn, expressed his gratitude to both Thaksin and local supporters, acknowledging the potential embarrassment of losing after receiving such high-profile backing. The unofficial results showed Sarawut garnered 327,487 votes, outpacing his rival Kanisorn Khurirang from the People’s Party, who secured 268,675 votes.

This victory also served as a form of redemption for Sarawut, who had previously been defeated in the general election by Nattapong Pipatchaisiri. Nattapong represented the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, which has since been reformed as the People’s Party.

However, not everyone is convinced that Thaksin’s involvement was the decisive factor. Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, offered a differing perspective.

“Even if Thaksin had not helped at the campaign rally, Pheu Thai would have won regardless because Udon Thani has long been Pheu Thai’s support base.”

Udon Thani, often referred to as the capital of the red shirts in the northeast, has historically been a stronghold for Pheu Thai, suggesting that the party’s entrenched support in the region played a significant role in the election outcome, reported Bangkok Post.