PAO elections: old politics? The results of the recent Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections, with so many incumbent leaders making a comeback, may give the impression that was a victory of old politics and that local people still do not care much about change. About 40% of the winners of the PAO elections, Thailand's first local elections in some seven years, are old faces, with the ruling Palang Pracharath Party making a big sweep in more than 20 provinces, followed by Bhumjaithai, almost 10, and Pheu Thai, nine. Some caution that such election results show that even after the country's move towards high political awareness in national politics, this year's pro-reform protests have not spilled over into local politics. The PAO elections were just the start of the resuscitation of local politics after years under the military regime.

Source: Bangkok Post December 23, 2020 21:11 UTC