Thailand’s general election of May 2023 marked a turning point in its political landscape, with many newcomers, even those with very little prior electoral experience, defeating established incumbents. The result defied polls and academic predictions, implying a shift away from old-money politics in favour of embracing newcomers. While this change is seen as a positive development for the future of Thai politics, money continues to play a significant role in parliamentary politics, with vote buying remaining a prevalent factor, despite legal prohibitions against it.
This Cost of Politics report aims to understand the costs of pursuing a political career in Thailand, utilising the Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s “cost of politics” methodology from the moment a candidate aspires to run for office to the term’s end. The study attempts to highlight barriers to entry, analysing the implications of high financial costs on democracy, and proposing recommendations for future reform. As part of the research, 20 in-depth interviews with Thai academics, representatives of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), and current and former Members of Parliament (MPs) were conducted. This primary data was supplemented by an extensive literature review, drawing on reports and data from the ECT, as well as national and international organisations.
The study highlights an emerging trend in Thai politics, in which substantial financial investments by candidates are rendered ineffective due to decisions increasingly being taken outside the electoral process, often behind closed doors. Authors Chanintorn Pensute and Pailin Phujeenaphan note that as a result of this development “a significant point is the increasing trend where electoral results no longer determine who governs.” In light of all of this, there is a serious lack of transparency.
Another key trend to be extracted from the findings, is that Thai politics is not only unpredictable but also expensive, requiring aspiring candidates to maintain financial stability amid disruptive situations such as coups, party dissolutions, and political bans. The authors underscore “As a result, potential candidates must be financially independent, not relying solely on an MP’s salary for survival.” With tremendous costs and uncertainty, the odds are stacked against aspiring candidates.
Finally, an indispensable recommendation from the report emerges, urging young people interested in politics to actively seek involvement, both formally and informally. “For those who wish to engage with political parties, it has been found that newly established political parties and those with a significant proportion of key figures under the age of 40 actively encourage youth participation and clearly provide opportunities for young people to play roles within the party at various levels” noted by Chanintorn Pensute and Pailin Phujeenaphan, highlighting the importance of youth engagement in shaping the country’s future.
The purpose of this report is to illustrate the complexity and costs associated with political participation in Thailand, and to provide insight into how these challenges can be overcome to create a more inclusive and transparent political environment. For more the complete overview, click below:
This study is supported by the WYDE Civic Engagement project, which aims to empower youth in democratic processes. Through this research, the Cost of Politics reports unlock the unique processes of electoral participation and their impact on democracy in different countries.
