(Bangkok, 26th) As the voting day for Thailand’s general election approaches, the race has become increasingly intense, with as much as 16% of voters still undecided—making them the key targets for all parties: Pheu Thai is launching a massive cash offensive, Bhumjaithai is stoking nationalist sentiment amid Thailand-Cambodia tensions, while the opposition Move Forward Party is playing the ‘reform card’ to answer the demands of young voters.
According to the latest poll, Move Forward Party’s Pita Limjaroenrat enjoys the highest popularity, leading caretaker Prime Minister Anutin by 10 percentage points.
Pheu Thai recently rolled out the “Get Rich Every Day” campaign promise, pledging that if they come to power, nine lucky people from selected groups will be drawn each day to each receive a 1 million baht (about RM128,600) prize—so everyone will have a chance to become rich overnight, providing “hope to change your life” every day.
This move drew criticism from opponents and academics, calling it a wasteful and populist use of public funds, as well as an unethical misuse of taxpayers’ money.
However, Pheu Thai insists the scheme will help broaden the tax base and incorporate the informal economy into the tax system. To participate in the lottery, citizens must register, allowing authorities to collect data from all social strata, including income and taxation status.
Pheu Thai’s PM candidate Srettha Thavisin responded to the criticisms on Saturday (Jan 24), saying: “By collecting data to understand people’s difficulties and the cost of living, we can better predict GDP, fiscal revenue and spending, and also help the government craft more effective and targeted aid measures.”
However, former PM and Democrat Party leader Abhisit harshly criticized this as a populist policy, arguing the funds could instead be used to provide skills training for as many as a million people—creating long-term economic value, rather than letting a handful become rich overnight.
Beyond the direct cash offensive, rising nationalist sentiment due to border tensions with Cambodia has also become a ready weapon for politicians, with the incumbent Bhumjaithai Party being the biggest beneficiary.
Oran, vice dean of Political Science and Law at Eastern University of Thailand, told the Bangkok Post that many voters have been persuaded by Bhumjaithai’s rhetoric, believing that current security problems stem from the previous Pheu Thai government’s failures, and only a Bhumjaithai government can restore territorial integrity and defend national interests.
Oran predicts that Bhumjaithai will perform well in the February 8 general election, but has little chance of achieving a landslide victory.
Meanwhile, the surging Move Forward Party continues to play the “reform card”. Party leader and PM candidate Pita on Sunday (25th) urged voters at a campaign event to reject “old politics” and choose “new politics” for a better future for the next generation.
With two weeks left in the campaign, the latest poll by the National Institute of Development Administration shows Move Forward Party and Pita still leading.
Pita remains the top choice for PM, with an approval rating of 31.96%. Caretaker PM and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin is second at 20.15%, and Pheu Thai’s Srettha trails at just 9%.
Notably, as many as 16.31% of voters remain undecided.
On the party front, 41.71% of respondents support Move Forward, followed by Bhumjaithai (19.12%) and Pheu Thai (13.96%).
Pheu Thai recently rolled out the “Get Rich Every Day” campaign promise, pledging that if they come to power, nine lucky people from selected groups will be drawn each day to each receive a 1 million baht (about RM128,600) prize—so everyone will have a chance to become rich overnight, providing “hope to change your life” every day.
This move drew criticism from opponents and academics, calling it a wasteful and populist use of public funds, as well as an unethical misuse of taxpayers’ money.
However, Pheu Thai insists the scheme will help broaden the tax base and incorporate the informal economy into the tax system. To participate in the lottery, citizens must register, allowing authorities to collect data from all social strata, including income and taxation status.
Pheu Thai’s PM candidate Srettha Thavisin responded to the criticisms on Saturday (Jan 24), saying: “By collecting data to understand people’s difficulties and the cost of living, we can better predict GDP, fiscal revenue and spending, and also help the government craft more effective and targeted aid measures.”
However, former PM and Democrat Party leader Abhisit harshly criticized this as a populist policy, arguing the funds could instead be used to provide skills training for as many as a million people—creating long-term economic value, rather than letting a handful become rich overnight.
Beyond the direct cash offensive, rising nationalist sentiment due to border tensions with Cambodia has also become a ready weapon for politicians, with the incumbent Bhumjaithai Party being the biggest beneficiary.
Oran, vice dean of Political Science and Law at Eastern University of Thailand, told the Bangkok Post that many voters have been persuaded by Bhumjaithai’s rhetoric, believing that current security problems stem from the previous Pheu Thai government’s failures, and only a Bhumjaithai government can restore territorial integrity and defend national interests.
Oran predicts that Bhumjaithai will perform well in the February 8 general election, but has little chance of achieving a landslide victory.
Meanwhile, the surging Move Forward Party continues to play the “reform card”. Party leader and PM candidate Pita on Sunday (25th) urged voters at a campaign event to reject “old politics” and choose “new politics” for a better future for the next generation.
With two weeks left in the campaign, the latest poll by the National Institute of Development Administration shows Move Forward Party and Pita still leading.
Pita remains the top choice for PM, with an approval rating of 31.96%. Caretaker PM and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin is second at 20.15%, and Pheu Thai’s Srettha trails at just 9%.
Notably, as many as 16.31% of voters remain undecided.
On the party front, 41.71% of respondents support Move Forward, followed by Bhumjaithai (19.12%) and Pheu Thai (13.96%).