The Budget Spent for the Election of the MPs under the 2017 Constitution in Ubon Ratchathani

Abstract

This study aims to examine the voters’ behaviours in employing resources especially their expenses, in order  to understand the members of the parliament (MP) in Ubon Ratchathani’s budget plan with regards to the national election. The budget for the election of the MPs was surveyed by the Election Commission (EC) of Ubon Ratchathani. The results indicated that; The total budget of the candidates from Pheu Thai Party was 10,313,914.40 baht. On the average, a candidate of the party spent 1,031,391.44 baht. The total budget of the candidates from Palang Pracharath Party was 9,976,017.49 baht. On the average, a candidate spent 997,501.75 baht. he was not elected as an MP. The total budget of the candidates from Democrat Party was 6,279,476 baht. On the average, a candidate spent 627,948 baht. The total budget of the candidates from Future Forward Party was 7,076,256.45 baht. On the average, a candidate spent 707,625 baht.  The total budget of the candidates from Bhumjaithai Party was 6,477,480.40. On the average, a candidate spent 647,749.04 baht. The key recommendations are that there were limitations in setting the plan for the budget, and designing the forms and the methods to look for resources in running the political campaigns. The forms and methods over the report on the situation before the election day were not in line with what actually happened in different areas. The cost of travel was also different.