Thailand’s two-ballot electoral system has uncovered divided loyalties among the country’s voters.

An oft-used voter turnout slogan in Thailand encourages citizens to “vote for the candidate you love and the party you like.” Yet, the May 2023 general election unveiled a fascinating reality: the candidate Thai voters loved and the party they liked were not always aligned. This divergence reflects the varying strength of partisan attachments among the electorate, the uneven influence wielded by individual candidates, and the emergence of divided loyalties that enable political dynasties to persist, yet leave their future uncertain.

Click here to read the full piece at Fulcrum, co-authored with Dr. Napon Jatusripitak.

(Image credits: Napon Jatusripitak)