The study of the factors on the popularity of Move Forward Party in the 2023 National Election: The Case Study of Electoral District No.1 and 4

Abstract

The study of the factors on the popularity of Move Forward Party in the 2023 National Election: The Case Study of Electoral District No.1 and 4 has 2 objectives; (1) to study the factors on the popularity of Move Forward Party’s candidates in Ubon Ratchathani in the National Election on 14 May 2023 (Electoral District No.1 and 4); and (2) to examine the perspectives of the voters in the Electoral District No.1 and 4 in Ubon Ratchathani towards the policy of Move Forward Party. This research is qualitative and data was acquired from social media platforms. Other methods include interviews and analysis of related documents. The findings indicate that the popularity of the candidates for the member of parliaments has 4 components. First, the popularity of the party is the most important factor that leads to the popularity of the candidates from Move Forward Party in the 2023 National Election in Ubon Ratchathani. This includes the popularity of Pita Limjaroenrat as the Head of Move Forward Party and other related images as well. Second, it is the candidates’ personal factors that they have to continuously play a role in running political campaigns and visiting the people themselves so that they have more chances to win the election. Third, the voters’ demands must be mentioned as they wanted changes and the replacement of the former members of the parliament who have represented the electoral districts for many years. Fourth, the demand for social and political changes are the factors as the young generation voters are desperate with the same old political and social structure. In addition, the perspectives of the voters in the Election District No. 1 and 4. In Ubon Ratchathani towards the policy of Move Forward Party indicate that they have hope in the party’s policy. They foresaw their potentials that will bring about the structural changes both at the local and national level. This research recommends that the popularity of the party leads to popularity of the candidates. However, it Is not enough to win the election. The candidates must enter the electoral districts and run the political campaigns with the community for their public relations. The eligible voters will have a chance to get to know the candidates. The popularity of the party will be the support in the competition with the trend of vote-buying especially in the rural areas and those under the authority of Subdistrict Administrative Organization.