CHANGES IN POLITICAL BEHAVIOR AFTER THE 2021 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS: A CASE OF PHUKIEO DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

    This research aims to explain the changes in political behavior after the 2021 local government elections. The study focuses on two critical issues that include: the political behavior of citizens and the political behavior of local politicians. Each case can be described in two aspects-political awakening and political participation. For research site selection, a researcher purposefully selected five local governments (two subdistrict municipalities and three subdistrict administrative organizations in Phukieo district, Chaiyaphum province. The interview data were gathered from 27 key informants, after that used an interview form has been approved by advisor, they were divided into three groups: eligible voters, local politicians, and local government officials. A researcher recruited the participants by considering the local citizens who had experiences in political activities at the local level. Then, the interview data were analyzed using a thematic analysis process. The themes that emerged from data analysis help explain the patterns of the changes in the political behavior of local citizens and politicians. The results show that the political behavior of local citizens and politicians has noticeably changed after the 2021 local government elections, resulting in a greater level of political awakening and better political participation. In addition, findings indicate that vote buying has an insignificant effect on people's electoral decisions. Notably, people considered the candidates based on personal qualifications, past work in the area, and experience. Moreover, local politicians are energetic in improving their potential to gain public acceptance. The research also found that younger candidates are involved in local politics.