Opposition Wins By Landslide In Bangkok By-Election

Surachart Thienthong of the main opposition Pheu Thai Party won a by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 9 on Sunday, the Bangkok Post reported citing unofficial results. Surachart received 29,416 votes, defeating Saralrasmi Jenjaka of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), who got just 7,906 votes.

• The snap poll in Bangkok's Constituency 9 was called after Ms Saralrasmi's husband Sira was retrospectively disqualified from the 2019 election due to his fraud conviction received in 1995.
• The election was perceived as a key litmus test of voter sentiment, with parties already eyeing the 2023 general election. Tensions are bubbling between parties in the ruling coalition as well as within the PPRP.
• Recall that the PPRP has recently removed 21 lawmakers from its ranks, including Secretary General Thamanat. The group was linked to an alleged plot to oust PM Prayuth back in autumn and continued in their efforts to increase their influence within the ruling party.
• The landslide victory of the opposition raises the prospect of renewed factional conflicts within the PPRP, with some calling PM Prayuth's leadership into question ahead of the looming general election.