Bangkok: The People’s Party is encountering significant internal challenges as Thailand approaches the February 8, 2026, election. Although the party continues to lead in popularity polls in Bangkok, signals from within suggest potential trouble.

According to Thai News Agency, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn Sriyakul, Director of the Institute for Policy and Political Analysis, warns of underlying issues that the People’s Party must address to maintain its dominance.

The party is experiencing a “sulking” among its younger supporters, with a notable 40% of voters undecided. This group, primarily aged 18-35, has historically backed the People’s Party but now shows hesitation. The dissatisfaction stems from internal selection processes that excluded key candidates and raised suspicions about technocrat candidates potentially aligned with rival factions.

Meanwhile, rival parties, represented by blue and light blue factions, are capitalizing on these internal issues. Abhisit Vejjajiva and Anutin Charnvirakul have gained popularity in several Bangkok districts, threatening the People’s Party’s hold on its parliamentary seats. If these rival parties capture even modest shares of the vote, the People’s Party risks losing significant representation in Bangkok.

Despite setting a goal of 250 seats, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn views this as a challenging target. The People’s Party needs to secure 20 million votes in the party-list system and win an additional 200 constituency seats, a formidable task given current dynamics. Communication strategies are also under scrutiny, with recent portrayals of undecided voters as unpatriotic potentially alienating supporters.

For the People’s Party, the upcoming election is not solely about maintaining trends but also about effective communication and strategic consolidation. The party must swiftly learn from current polling insights to regain the support of younger voters and counteract the influence of money and political dynasties. Furthermore, vigilance against potential infiltration by unscrupulous political figures is crucial to uphold the party’s integrity.