The Floodgates Open: Klatham Climbs Victory Hill in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Bhumjaithai vacates parliamentary seat; Klatham secures victory in by-election.
In a game-changing by-election on April 28, 2025, the Klatham Party stepped up to the plate, snatching its initial seaside victory in the historically established, politically charged province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. This groundbreaking triumph sets the stage for the upstart party to establish a solid foothold and launch a pursuit for more seats in the future.
The contest in Constituency 8, spanning Chawang, Phipun, Na Bon, and Chang Klang districts, unveiled a 70% voter turnout. The driving force behind this exciting turn of events was the disqualification of the Bhumjaithai Party's Mukdawan Luengsinil, who received a 10-year political ban owing to vote-buying charges. In the wake of her dismissal, the party sent her husband to tread the contest waters, but alas, the tides turned decisively against them.
The Klatham Party's triumphant candidate, Kongkiat Ketsobat, stormed to victory with an impressive 38,680 votes, convincingly outpacing Bhumjaithai's Sawai Lueangsinil (28,417 votes) and the venerable Democrat Party's Chinnaworn Booyakiat (4,190 votes). What's even more intriguing is the family ties behind Kongkiat: he's the son-in-law of the defeated Democrat candidate, making the political landscape swirl with shifting loyalties.
A Spectacular Debut in the Deep South
The Klatham Party, led by Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, and spearheaded by chief adviser Thamanat Prompow, has always been a formidable coalition force. Their recent victory, however, represents an empowering leap into the southern political scene, which has long seemed the exclusive domain of established heavyweights like the Democrats. This win marks a significant milestone in the growing influence and presence of Klatham in southern Thailand.
Tomorrow's Horizon
Thamanat Prompow heralded the win as a shining symbol of the electorate's faith in the party, paving the way for Klatham to plant its roots firmly in the province and aim higher for future electoral successes. In reply to the echo of his footstep, the party's chief adviser declared, "I have set the foot of Klatham here."
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai addressed the rumors of a potential cabinet reshuffle following the electoral landslide, stressing the significance of maintaining a stable coalition partnership. While the party revels in the surge of momentum, it braces itself for ongoing competition against key opponents like the Bhumjaithai Party, a formidable adversary that conceded defeat but remains a menacing contender to overcome.
As Klatham rides the wave of its victory, it must remain vigilant in obtaining sustainable success, staying afloat amidst the tempestuous sea of entrenched political forces in Thailand. But one thing is certain: the eyes of the political world are squarely on this rising party as it carves its destiny in the realm of coalition-driven politics.
In the Southern political landscape, traditionally dominated by the Democrats, the Klatham Party made a historic entrance with Kongkiat Ketsobat's victory in the Nakhon Si Thammarat by-election of 2025. The win, aided by the disqualification of the Bhumjaithai Party's Mukdawan Luengsinil, marked a substantial increase in Klatham's influence and presence.
Thamanat Prompow, Klatham's chief adviser, celebrated the win as a testament to the electorate's faith in the party, while Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai addressed speculation of a cabinet reshuffle following the landslide. The Bhumjaithai Party, although conceding defeat, remains a formidable adversary to overcome in future elections.
As Klatham steers its course into the future, it faces the challenge of sustaining success amidst fierce competition and established political forces. Nevertheless, the party's continued growth and influence in war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice sectors have caught the attention of the political world, making 2023 an intriguing year to watch for the rising party.
Having planted its roots in the province, Yuduang constituency is a new battleground where the Klatham Party aims to extend its reach and strengthen its position. The outcome of this struggle will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of Thailand in the years to come.
