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NONTHABURI, Thailand: Thais voted nationwide on Sunday (December 20) in provincial elections that mark the first test of democracy since last year’s general election that sparked allegations of manipulation and helped spawn months of youth protests.
The elections in Thailand’s 76 provinces outside of the capital Bangkok are the first since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha held power after last year’s vote.
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A woman has her temperature checked before casting her vote at a polling station during provincial elections in Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province on December 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters / Athit Perawongmetha).
“It is my duty to vote,” said Korkiet Akaraparn, a 27-year-old bank worker, in his first provincial election in Nonthaburi, outside Bangkok. “I hope there are new people in this election that brings changes.”
Election officials reported steady turnout despite the largest daily increase in coronavirus cases in Thailand on Saturday in a province outside of Bangkok.
The polls close at 5 p.m. M. (6 PM Singapore Time), and results are expected for the evening.
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Among the parties running for candidates is the Progressive Movement, which has its roots in Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit’s now-banned Future Forward Party.
Thanathorn had become Prayut’s most vocal challenger. When he and his party were excluded from politics, he sparked protests demanding the removal of Prayuth, a new constitution, and reforms to the powerful monarchy.
Prayut rejects the accusations that he engineered the general election to maintain power.
A woman casts her vote at a polling station during provincial elections in Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province on December 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters / Athit Perawongmetha).
Although his backing party in parliament does not formally present candidates in provincial elections, contestants in races across the country are making their loyalty to their side clear.
The elections are also a test for the Pheu Thai Party linked to former populist Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In opposition, it remains the largest party in Thailand’s parliament.
Thaksin, who rarely comments in public about his self-exile since he was ousted in 2006, has posted on Twitter to encourage people to support the party ahead of provincial elections, in which powerful families traditionally hold local power.
A woman wearing a face shield votes in the provincial elections in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on December 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters / Matthew Tostevin).
“I voted for candidates who are related to the former boss,” said Charoen Buaperm, 60.
Provincial administrations are responsible for the provision of local services and development plans and manage their own budgets. The Progressive Movement seeks to return more power to the provinces of Bangkok, which is not yet holding its own local elections.
