There are at least 70 former MPs loyal to Pheu Thai in those provinces. And if they are turning away from Pheu Thai, the party will face a crisis in the elections. At the same time, some polls predict Pheu Thai would win the election if the vote was held today. The upper North and Northeast serve as strongholds of the Pheu Thai Party, meaning they are best left alone as voters there remain steadfast in their support and loyalty. The order has been met with fierce criticism from both the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties, which have petitioned the Constitutional Court to rule whether the order violates the constitution.

Source: Bangkok Post February 16, 2018 19:52 UTC