Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s political clout couldn’t sway the outcome of the Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) presidential election in favor of the Pheu Thai Party. Despite Thaksin’s campaign efforts, the incumbent independent candidate, Athitathorn Wanchaithanawong, emerged victorious over Pheu Thai’s Salakjit Tiyapairat.

Election Results

Unexpected Outcome

With 95% of the votes counted, Athitathorn secured a lead of nearly 20,000 votes over her Pheu Thai rival1. The final tally showed Athitathorn with 249,845 votes, while Salakjit received 230,262 votes. A third candidate, Jiraporn Muenchaiwong, garnered 20,254 votes1.

Thaksin’s Campaign Efforts

Promises and Visits

In the lead-up to the election, Thaksin made two campaign visits to Chiang Rai, promising better care from the central government if voters elected a PAO president from the ruling party. However, these promises failed to materialize into votes for the Pheu Thai candidate.

Voter Maturity

Local vs. National Politics

Athitathorn attributed her victory to the political maturity of Chiang Rai residents, stating that they have learned to differentiate between local and national politics. This suggests that voters prioritized local issues and candidate qualifications over national party affiliations.

Implications for Pheu Thai

Setback in the North

This defeat in Chiang Rai, a province in Thailand’s northern region where Thaksin once held significant influence, represents a setback for the Pheu Thai Party. It highlights the challenges the party faces in maintaining its stronghold in areas traditionally supportive of Thaksin and his political movement.

Broader Election Context

Mixed Results Nationwide

While Pheu Thai faced disappointment in Chiang Rai, the party performed well overall in the PAO elections held across Thailand. Unofficial results indicate that Pheu Thai secured victories in 18 provinces, the highest number among all parties. This suggests that while Thaksin’s influence may have waned in some areas, the party still maintains considerable support nationwide.

Thailand’s tennis team has secured a spot in the 2025 Davis Cup World Group II playoffs, showcasing their prowess on hard courts. However, their upcoming match against Cyprus on clay presents a new challenge.

Thailand’s Impressive Run

Domination in World Group III

Thailand demonstrated their strength in the Davis Cup World Group III Asia/Oceania event, winning all four of their matches and securing the top spot in Pool B4. This outstanding performance earned them a promotion to the World Group II playoffs for the 2025 season.

The Road Ahead

Clay Court Showdown in Cyprus

The Thai team’s next hurdle is a away match against Cyprus, scheduled to take place in Nicosia on clay courts. This surface change could prove challenging for the Thai players, who have shown their expertise primarily on hard courts.

Team Rankings and Expectations

Thailand’s Position in World Tennis

Thailand is currently ranked 66th in the Davis Cup nations ranking, while their opponents Cyprus hold the 69th position. Despite the slight ranking advantage, the change in playing surface adds an element of uncertainty to the upcoming tie.

The Importance of Adaptation

Preparing for Different Court Conditions

To succeed in the World Group II playoffs, Thailand’s team will need to adapt their game to suit clay court conditions. This transition will be crucial in their bid to continue their upward trajectory in the Davis Cup competition.

Looking Forward

Potential for Further Advancement

A victory against Cyprus would solidify Thailand’s position in the World Group II for the 2025 Davis Cup season. This presents an opportunity for the team to face higher-ranked opponents and potentially climb further up the Davis Cup ladder.

Thailand is facing a severe demographic challenge as its birth rate continues to decline, threatening the future of the country’s workforce. Experts are urging immediate action to address this pressing issue, which could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s economy and social structure.

Alarming Statistics

Record-Low Birth Rates

In 2024, Thailand recorded fewer than 500,000 births for the first time since 1949, with only 462,240 new births reported. This marks the fourth consecutive year where deaths have outnumbered births in the country. The total fertility rate (TFR) has plummeted to 1.0, placing Thailand among nations with ultra-low fertility rates, even lower than Japan’s 1.2.

Workforce Implications

Projected Labor Shortage

If current trends persist, Thailand’s workforce could shrink dramatically over the next five decades. Experts predict that the number of workers may decrease to just 22.8 million in 50 years, posing significant challenges for the country’s economic growth and productivity.

Government Initiatives

Reevaluating Current Strategies

The Thai government has launched campaigns such as “Give Birth, Great World” to promote parenthood among young couples. However, these efforts have yet to yield significant results. Experts suggest that a comprehensive review of these initiatives is necessary to understand their shortcomings and develop more effective strategies.

Societal Factors

Changing Attitudes and Economic Pressures

Several factors contribute to the declining birth rate, including increased education and workforce participation among women, rising costs of living, and changing attitudes towards relationships and family formation. The high expenses associated with education and housing also play a crucial role in couples’ decisions to delay or forgo having children.

Proposed Solutions

Financial Incentives and Social Support

To address this crisis, some officials have proposed offering financial incentives to encourage childbirth. Labour Minister Phiphat has suggested providing ฿3,000 per month per child for seven years to boost the workforce. Additionally, experts emphasize the need for comprehensive social support, including improved parental leave policies, flexible working hours, and affordable childcare options.

Long-term Planning

Future-Oriented Approach

Experts stress that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges of population aging and fertility rate decline. Instead, they advocate for long-term, future-oriented planning that takes into account the unique context of Thailand. This approach should aim to create a more supportive environment for families and address the root causes of the declining birth rate. 

By implementing these measures and continuing to study and adapt to the evolving demographic landscape, Thailand can work towards mitigating the impact of its declining birth rate on its workforce and overall economic stability.