Campaigning for Thailand’s February 8 general election has begun with a frenetic three-way battle defined by corruption allegations, a tense border conflict with Cambodia and the emergence of a new frontman for the once all-conquering Shinawatra political dynasty.
But the caravans of politicians criss-crossing the nation and blitzing social media have so far failed to inspire a public, which has seen its electoral choices repeatedly nullified by courts and coups, as conservatives find ways to return to power.
The election is a contest between the conservative Bhumjaithai Party led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the youth-oriented People’s Party, known for its reform agenda and strong showings in the last two polls, and Pheu Thai, the once-dominant political machine of Thaksin Shinawatra.
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The political establishment is also looking to cut through the chaos of the last two years, during which winners were shunted into opposition, two prime ministers were ousted by courts and the economy sagged under debt, US tariffs and a record-strong baht.
The cannabis-legalising and sax-playing Anutin called the snap election just as scandal over scams and money laundering began to touch his political and business allies.
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He had also come under fire for his handling of a southern flood crisis and reportedly called the polls fearing the People’s Party – which won the 2023 election as the Move Forward Party before being dissolved and shunted into opposition – would withdraw support for his minority government.