For subscribers
News analysis
By-election wins for Thailand's Democrats more telling of ruling party's troubles
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
Unofficial results show the Democrat's candidate Issarapong Makampai emerging as the winner in Chumpon.
PHOTO: ISSARAPONGMAKAMPAI/FACEBOOK
BANGKOK - Thailand's Democrat Party retained two seats in Chumpon and Songkhla provinces in by-elections on Sunday (Jan 16), after a closely fought battle that saw the nation's oldest political party cross swords with government coalition leader Palang Pracharath (PPRP).
But while some might view the victories as hints of a possible Democrat comeback after it suffered major losses in the 2019 general election, analysts say the by-election results are more telling of the ruling PPRP's troubles and coalition rifts.
