Nakhon Si Thammarat: "Pipat," leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, admits defeat in the Nakhon Si Thammarat by-election, but the votes have increased, preparing to regroup for the general election, throwing the EC to investigate after rumors of 2 parties buying votes.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labor and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party responsible for the southern region, addressed the loss in the by-election in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. He explained that the elected candidate's victory in Chawang District is typical for the region, emphasizing the importance of respecting the decision made by the locals.
When questioned about the narrow margin of defeat, Mr. Pipat expressed his inability to pinpoint the exact reasons, attributing the outcome to local decisions. He underscored the necessity for a new strategy in the upcoming general election, acknowledging potential shifts in party stances and the need for alignment with the party base's current preferences.
Mr. Pipat highlighted the increase in votes for the Bhumjaithai Party, noting an improvement from over 23,000 votes previously to more than 28,000 votes in the recent by-election. Despite the loss, he expressed relief at the strong performance in the area, attributing the support to the party's continued appeal among local constituents. He acknowledged the need for further analysis and improvement in Phibun and Chawang districts where the party did not perform well.
Addressing allegations of vote-buying by two political parties, Mr. Pipat deferred the matter to the Election Commission for investigation, refraining from further comment on the issue.