Evaluation Seminar on the Provincial Administrative Organisation Feb-1 Elections - Foundation Office Thailand
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Evaluation Seminar on the Provincial Administrative Organisation Feb-1 Elections
Decentralisation and Local Administration
The February 1 Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) elections in Thailand marked a pivotal moment in the country’s local governance landscape. Held across 47 provinces for both PAO chairpersons and councilors—and in 29 provinces for councilors only—the elections were seen as a step toward decentralization and a potential precursor to broader reforms, such as electing governors outside Bangkok. However, the process revealed several systemic issues: voter turnout was lower than expected at 58%, and ballot inconsistencies led to a significant number of invalid and blank votes. Despite allegations of vote-buying, no formal complaints were filed, raising concerns about electoral transparency and public trust.
In response to recent developments, a one-day hybrid seminar has been proposed to critically assess the February 1 elections. The event aims to bring together 100 participants—including scholars, policymakers, local politicians, and civil society representatives—in collaboration with the Creative Urban Solution Center (CUSC). The goal is to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the PAO electoral process. Sukhothai Thammathirath Open University, through its Faculty of Political Science, has expressed its willingness to co-organize the seminar. Key objectives include fostering dialogue, enhancing public understanding of decentralization, and formulating actionable policy recommendations for electoral reform to be submitted to the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT).
