Although the campaign season for Thailand's much-anticipated election has only just begun, populism has already become the runaway winner. All of the contesting parties have come up with a plethora of populist pledges to woo voters. That populism has triumphed in Thai politics bears multiple longer-term implications.
The rebound in the tourism industry and political parties' campaign spending ahead of the general election are the factors driving media spending in Thailand this year, says Pawat Ruangdejworachai, chief executive of creative agency Media Intelligence Co.
Business leaders and stock market analysts welcomed the premier's statement vowing to dissolve parliament next month ahead of an election likely to take place on May 7.
The Pheu Thai Party has slammed the Election Commission's plan to redraw electoral constituency boundaries ahead of the next elections, calling it confusing and potentially against existing laws on elections.