People’s Party faces uncertain prospects in Chiang Mai local election, says Pita

Seven parliamentary seats in Chiang Mai province were won by the now defunct Move Forward party in the 2023 general election, but this does not mean that the candidates of its successor, the People’s party, will win in the local elections on February 1, said Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the party.

“Chiang Mai’s political landscape differs between local and national elections. We cannot afford to be complacent, even though this is a local election,” Pita said.

He was in Chiang Mai to campaign for Panart Chairat, the People’s party candidate for the position of chief of the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO).

Pita has taken on the role of campaign assistant since Move Forward was dissolved and its executives banned from politics by the Constitutional Court earlier this year.

The MPs from Move Forward have since moved to the People’s Party, which is now led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut.

“To the people of Chiang Mai, who value decentralisation and want a PAO chief who works for the community, please vote for Panart on February 1st,” Pita urged.

The party plans a meeting in the New Year to evaluate and strategise its campaign, Pita noted, citing recent losses in local elections in various provinces, including Ubon Ratchathani.

Chiang Mai, the birthplace of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been a stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party, now led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

The People’s Party is determined to work hard to secure the PAO positions and will campaign diligently until February, according to Pita.