ASIA/THAILAND – “Signis” Secretary General on the upcoming elections: “Peace is not a very popular topic”

Bangkok – In Thailand’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February 8, progressive People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut continues to lead in the polls. He is the main rival of former Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The People’s Party is the successor to the Move Forward party, which won the 2023 elections but was subsequently blocked by lawmakers and then dissolved by court order. Anutin Charnvirakul, a politician and businessman from the Bhumjaithai party, called early elections on December 12, 2025 after less than 100 days as prime minister, following a chaotic parliamentary session that could have led to a vote of no confidence and the collapse of his fragile, minority government. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a long history of instability, characterized by rapid succession between military and civilian regimes. The Constitutional Court’s rulings have often had an impact on Thai politics. King Vajiralongkorn has reigned as King of Thailand since December 2016. The National Assembly consists of a House of Representatives with 500 elected members and a Senate with 200 appointed members. On February 8, 2026, voters will elect the new House of Representatives and decide in a referendum whether to begin drafting a new constitution to replace the one adopted in 2017 under the military junta.
Economic issues are high on the political agenda: Thailand has the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia, but its economic growth has been much lower than that of other countries in the region, impacting the cost of living and high levels of household debt.
In recent months, the conflict on the border with Cambodia has also been a major focus, reigniting nationalist sentiment and highlighting the role of the military. “Talking about dialogue and peace talks with Cambodia is not a very popular topic among political parties during the election campaign. Talking about peace does not create consensus and does not win votes. The focus is more on defending sovereignty and security,” notes Peter Rachada Monthienvichienchai, a Thai Catholic journalist and analyst, and Secretary General of Signis, a global Catholic communications network that unites media professionals from around the world, in an interview with Fides. “But the issue of the conflict is indispensable in this election,” Rachada observes. “People are focused on strengthening the role of the army and supporting the parties that recognize and promote what the army does for defense. It must be said that no party is openly talking about negotiations and peace with Cambodia, except in relation to a resolute defense,” he emphasizes.
The issue of “scam centers,” which are now widespread in Southeast Asia, also plays a role in the relationship between the two countries. “This is a long-standing phenomenon prevalent along the border, linking crime and corruption,” Rachada said. “It must be said that the fraud centers are supplied with electricity and internet from Thailand, but the question is how to address this, as a court order is required to cut off the supply,” he explained. The previous government under Paetongtarn Shinawatra , the youngest daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, “seemed to sympathize with this phenomenon,” he noted. He continued, “A big question mark in these elections is the political support that citizens will give to the Shinawatra family and their Pheu Thai party: the election will reveal that.” The other important issue running through the election campaign concerns the domestic economy: “Ordinary people are fighting for survival. Since the pandemic, there are areas in society where poverty and hardship prevail. The various parties have put forward different promises to support the economy and families: we will see how these are received by voters.” The three main political parties, which dissolved their previous alliances to compete directly against each other in the elections, are offering different solutions, “focusing on the poor, the elderly, workers, and entrepreneurs in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector—groups that together make up the majority of voters. “Their approach will be decisive,” concludes Peter Rachada.

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