Pheu Thai fends off People's Party challenge in Thaksin backyard

Udon Thani election seen as bellwether for Thailand's top two parties

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and opposition figurehead Pita Limjaroenrat campaigned in Udon Thani ahead of a provincial election on Nov. 24. The vote, won by the ruling Pheu Thai Party, was viewed as a barometer of the country's two main parties' support. (Source photos by Pheu Thai party and Yuki Kohara)

FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer

November 25, 2024 12:03 JST

UDON THANI, Thailand -- The stars of Thailand's progressive opposition party attracted 2,000 orange-clad supporters at a Friday night campaign rally, two days before voters in Udon Thani chose their new provincial administration leader.

Two streets away the ruling Pheu Thai Party held a much more subdued gathering. Udon Thani is in the party's northeastern heartland, so neither Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra nor her father, party founder Thaksin Shinawatra, felt the need to headline.