Jadet Jantar, center, and key figures of the Pheu Thai Party celebrated his victory in the by-election in Muang district of Phitsanulok on Sunday night. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)
PHITSANULOK – In an election that sent ripples through the political landscape, Jadet Jantar, representing the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party, clinched a resounding victory in constituency 1’s by-election held this Sunday. He triumphed over his sole competitor, Nathachanon Chanaburanasak from the opposition People’s Party. Unofficial results revealed Jadet garnering 37,209 votes, surpassing Nathachanon’s 30,640.
The mood was jubilant as key figures of the Pheu Thai Party gathered for an impromptu press conference at a local eatery in Muang district. Somsak Thepsutin, the Minister for Public Health, hailed the victory as a landmark occasion. “This victory signifies that the people of this northern province have, for the first time in nearly two decades, chosen a Pheu Thai MP. It’s a testament to the nationwide confidence in our new Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra,” he said, beaming with pride.
Meanwhile, Sarayoot Jailak, secretary-general of the People’s Party, took the outcome in stride, pointing out that their party had not yet mounted a full-scale campaign. Acting spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu echoed this sentiment, adding, “Mr. Nathachanon and his team will continue their tireless efforts for the people in the constituency.”
The by-election saw a voter turnout of 54.95%, with 67,849 of the 138,705 eligible voters casting valid ballots. The electoral excitement stemmed from necessity; the previous MP, Padipat Santipada, was banned from political activities for a decade following the disbandment of the Move Forward Party, now reincarnated as the People’s Party.
As the dust settles on this election night, one thing is clear: the dynamic political currents of Thailand are more turbulent and engaging than ever, keeping citizens both riveted and hopeful for the future.
It’s fantastic to see Pheu Thai Party making a comeback. This just shows that people are finally waking up to the incompetence of the opposition.
Waking up or just tired of empty promises? The People’s Party didn’t even run a full campaign!
A win is a win. Effort or not, the people’s choice speaks volumes.
But does it really? Turnout was barely over half. What about the rest?
A 54.95% turnout isn’t exactly inspiring. We need compulsory voting to get real representation.
Compulsory voting just forces people who don’t care to vote. Do we really want that?
Yes, because it ensures that every segment of society has a voice, even the apathetic.
Forcing people to vote is undemocratic. Freedom means the right to choose not to participate.
Representation matters, yes, but educated voters matter more. We need better civic education.
I can’t believe the People’s Party would mount such a weak campaign. They basically handed the victory over on a silver platter.
Maybe they’re saving their resources for a more strategic moment? Not every battle needs to be won.
Possibly, but it feels like they’re letting their supporters down.
Winning a battle isn’t always about brute force. Timing and strategy play crucial roles.
Jadet Jantar has a real chance to bring in positive change. It’s up to him now to make the most of this opportunity.
All these politicians are the same, just different faces fooling the masses. When will people wake up and see the bigger picture?
Wow, a win for the Pheu Thai Party in nearly 20 years. That’s quite something. Does this mean we’ll see tangible changes soon?
Probably not. Political promises and actual change seldom go hand-in-hand.
Maybe, but I’d like to think there’s hope. Change doesn’t come overnight.
Expecting overnight change is naive. It’s all about small, significant steps forward.
It’ll depend a lot on how strong the opposition is and if they decide to cooperate for the greater good.
The by-election result is another chapter in Thailand’s turbulent political history. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Let’s hope it’s less turbulent. Stability is what the country needs.
Stability is important, but so is progress. Can’t have one without the other.
History has shown us that times of turbulence often precede significant change. It’s a necessary process.
So we’re just going to pretend that the disbandment of the Move Forward Party was fair? This is just a rebranding, not a real change.
Rebranding or not, the Pheu Thai Party won fair and square this time. Let’s see what they can do.
Fair is subjective in politics. I still have my doubts.
What happened with the Move Forward Party was controversial. There’s no denying that.
This victory for Pheu Thai could invoke a renewed interest in democratic processes among younger voters. They want change, and they want it fast.
Young voters have short attention spans. Will they stick around long enough to see the change through?
Engagement is improving. Social media keeps them involved and informed.
Involvement doesn’t always mean understanding. They need to learn to be patient and think long-term.
I’m glad someone new is representing us. Jadet Jantar seems promising. Hope he addresses local issues effectively.
This election could have implications beyond Phitsanulok. Could this be a sign of changing national sentiments?
I still don’t trust any of these politicians. They always promise the moon and deliver dust.
If nothing else, this election highlights the importance of participating in the democratic process. Your vote always matters.
Jadet Jantar’s victory is a slap in the face for the People’s Party. They need to rethink their strategy big time.
Or maybe it’s a wake-up call. Complacency doesn’t win elections; hard work does.
So true. A little humility and a lot of effort could go a long way for them.
Every loss is an opportunity to learn. Let’s see if they actually do.