Voting Behavior in the PAO Elections – The Decisive factors Behind the Victory of Karn Kaltinan of the Pheu Thai Party (Ubon Ratchathani) on December 22, 2024

Abstract

              This research has examined the Voting Behavior in the PAO Elections – The decisive factors behind the victory of Karn Kaltinan of the Pheu Thai Party (Ubon Ratchathani). It has objectives; (1) to examine the Voting Behavior in the PAO Elections; (2) to examine the decisive factors behind the victory of Karn Kaltinan of the Pheu Thai Party (Ubon Ratchathani) on December 22, 2024
              The findings are; The decisive factors behind the victory of Karn Kaltinan of the Pheu Thai Party (Ubon Ratchathani) included his strong voter base, effective canvassing networks, and experienced campaign team, particularly through the support of four incumbent Pheu Thai MPs, former MPs, and candidates in various areas who mobilized across all 25 districts. His alliances has formed an ad hoc team for support in the elections of PAO since 2020. This included Issara Somchai (former Minister of Social Development and Human Security and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party), who was responsible for the districts of Phibun Mangsahan, Na Yia, and Sawang Wirawong. The voter base of MP Wuttipong Nambut and former MP Withun Nambut covers Khueang Nai District. Furthermore, Karn benefitted from Pheu Thai’s status as the ruling party, leveraging government policies, the networks of community leaders, subdistrict administrative organization (SAO) presidents, PAO council members, and the reputation of the candidates from past development projects—most notably, extensive infrastructure programs covering a number of villages in many areas (3,288 projects, 1,273 kilometers of roads) and 79 health promotion hospitals, schools under PAO supported by a budget of 4.6 billion baht. This includes the use of resources that are more effective than those of the opponents.
              Jittrawan Wangsuppakitkoson’s defeat in the PAO election in Ubon Ratchathani stemmed from weaker canvassing networks, the team’s limited experience, reliance on canvassers from other parties, and the ad hoc formation of additional groups from outside her own party. The election area was vast, covering all 25 districts of the province, yet she had limited time for campaigning, which prevented her from reaching the entire area. This put her at a disadvantage compared to her opponents, who had run election campaigns for many terms. She also lacked the support of a strong political party at the provincial level, which could have provided a broader base of popularity. Moreover, the use of resources was ineffective, and the so-called “Korat Deal” further weakened supporter confidence.