Publication: Political Dynasties in Thailand: The Recent Picture after the 2011 General Election
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Issued Date
2016
Resource Type
File Type
application/pdf
ISSN
10357823
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-84975263655
Rights Holder(s)
Scopus
Bibliographic Citation
Asian Studies Review. Vol 40, No.3 (2016), p.340-359
Suggested Citation
Thananithichot S., Satidporn W. Political Dynasties in Thailand: The Recent Picture after the 2011 General Election. Asian Studies Review. Vol 40, No.3 (2016), p.340-359. doi:10.1080/10357823.2016.1193473 Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/5320
Author(s)
Abstract
Abstract: This article seeks to understand the patterns of family-based politics in Thailand’s 2011 House of Representatives election. The key question is whether the political dynasty, a sequence of political leaders who are considered members of the same family, is still a determining factor in Thai elections, and if so, to what extent compared to the past. Drawing on a rich set of data collected from election results between 1979 and 2011, this article argues that the political roles and influences of many political dynasties have become more complicated and have tended to increase, although some have experienced defeat in elections. The article finds that while belonging to a political dynasty could give new dynastic faces a better chance of winning a House election in their constituency than their non-dynastic counterparts, the most influential factor for electoral candidates in winning a House of Representatives election is belonging to the Pheu Thai Party or the Democrat Party. This article thus suggests that one of the best ways to avoid the monopoly of one or a few political families in Thai politics is to empower and support party members and eligible voters to meaningfully engage in political parties’ affairs and activities. © 2016 Asian Studies Association of Australia.