Ken Mathis Lohatepanont

One Year (Plus!) of The Coffee Parliament Some reflections on a busy year

A very late post to mark the fact that The Coffee Parliament is now over one year old! 🎉 www.coffeeparliament.com/p/one-year-p...

Thailand’s Democrat Party: A Political Institution Survives | FULCRUM The Democrat Party has made a comeback from a near-death experience. But there are still key challenges to overcome.

The Democrat Party, previously thought to be facing certain extinction, survived the 2026 general election. But as it enters its 80th year, Thailand's longest-surviving party still faces key challenges. My piece for Fulcrum: fulcrum.sg/thailands-de...

A Battle Over Ballot Barcodes Was the principle of the secret ballot violated?

Did barcodes on Thai election ballots violate the principle of a secret ballot? I take a look at the opposing arguments posed by two of Thailand's most prominent legal minds: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/a-battle-o...

Why Bhumjaithai won Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul enjoyed the power of incumbency in Thailand’s elections. And Mathis Lohatepanont argues he used that advantage wisely—combining appeals to populism, nationalism and ...

While there's still controversy over election irregularities, the Bhumjaithai margin of victory was big enough that it's highly unlikely to be overturned. I take a look here at why Bhumjaithai won: asialink.unimelb.edu.au/diplomacy/in...

Go Green or No Green? Analyzing whether Bhumjaithai will exclude Kla Tham

Yesterday evening, reports began circulating of hardball coalition negotiations. Will Bhumjaithai go green, or will there be no green in the next government? www.coffeeparliament.com/p/go-green-o...

Election Aftermath: Reports of Irregularities Coalition negotiations in limbo until election results are clear

Update on reports of election irregularities www.coffeeparliament.com/p/election-a...

Takeaways from the 2026 General Election How did the parties fare?

Takeaways from the 2026 general election www.coffeeparliament.com/p/takeaways-...

Bhumjaithai On Track to Win Election Dark blue surge

Bhumjaithai on track to win general election www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...

One question on our minds: who's going to form the next government? Here's a diagram of what parties have said about their coalition red lines.

2026 Election: Closing Thoughts An ambiguous election

Some closing thoughts on the 2026 general election. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/2026-elect...

Election strategies built on competence It has long been the tradition that Thai cabinet appointments are made with little regard to the qualifications or experience of those who will go to these ministries.

Cabinet choices in Thailand are usually made with little regard to expertise. But this year, many parties have pledged in advance to appoint technocrats, even as it comes at the expense of promoting longtime party loyalists.

My piece in the Bangkok Post: www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin...

Bhumjaithai's Warning Signs Some updates from new polling

New data shows the People's Party and the Democrats gaining momentum: both are warning signs for Bhumjaithai.

Thoughts on seat forecasts and how this election will depend on whether the national triumphs over the local: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...

Thank you, Mark!

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Pheu Thai announces its biggest giveaway yet

Many Thais wouldn't turn down the chance to be millionaires. But will Pheu Thai's particular way of creating 9 millionaires a day move the needle? www.coffeeparliament.com/p/who-wants-...

The Southern Electoral Battleground "You cannot give just half your love"

In today's newsletter, I examine the dynamics of the South, where we're seeing a clash of party loyalty vs. local influence. Abhisit Vejjajiva has revived the Democrats' popularity, but will that be enough against Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham? www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-southe...

Usually scam centers and other illicit industries!

My voter's guide for the Thailand 2026 general election is out now on Latitude Ten!

It contains an explainer of how this election works and the platforms offered by the major contenders.

Check it out here: latitudeten.com?p=1572

2026 Election Weekly Briefing (Jan 16) Updates on the People's Party, and a Cambodian intervention

Updates from another week of campaigning.

A lot of People's Party-related news this week, including the full launch of their potential governing team and the arrest of one of their candidates.

www.coffeeparliament.com/p/2026-elect...

Campaign Midway Point Vibe Check Thoughts on latest NIDA forecast

My "vibe check" of the 2026 election campaign at its midway point. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/campaign-m...

2026 Election Weekly Briefing (Jan 9) Pheu Thai rally, Songkhla polling, and more

This week in the 2026 election campaign:
• Pheu Thai announces several new policy pledges
• Democrats top Songkhla poll
• People's Party unveils new cabinet picks
...and more!

www.coffeeparliament.com/p/2026-elect...

A Quiet Constitutional Referendum Little buzz around the question of drafting a new constitution

There's been relatively little buzz around the constitutional referendum, scheduled for the same day as the Feb 8th general election.

I take a look at what's unfolding on that front: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/a-quiet-co...

Undecideds Hold the Key Unusually indecisive electorate makes for a volatile election

It's proving highly difficult to predict how the Feb 8th election will go. Polling shows that 30-40% of voters remain undecided.

I look at the key groups of undecided voters and how parties are trying to get them to turn out:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/undecideds...

Two Prime Ministers and Their Technocrats And a weekly election briefing (December 26)

In the final Coffee Parliament update of 2025, I recap a busy week in Thai politics that saw all the major parties release their slates of PM candidates. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/two-prime-...

PM Candidates Participate in First Debate A debate dominated by national security and grey capital

A summary of the first PM candidates' debate: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/pm-candida...

Bhumjaithai's "Big House" Edge Why Bhumjaithai is the early frontrunner in this election

Bhumjaithai is the early frontrunner in the 2026 election, thanks to its formidable "baan yai" strength.

Here's why, if current trends continue, I think Anutin has a good chance of remaining prime minister:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...

I'll be publishing an Election Guide, but might leave the Observer's Guide to be updated after the election!

2026 Election Weekly Briefing (Dec 19) Chart Pattana declines to contest election, Foreign Minister Sihasak to Bhumjaithai reports, and more

First edition of The Coffee Parliament's 2026 general election weekly news roundup:

• Pheu Thai unveils PM picks
• Chart Pattana declines to contest election
• Foreign Minister Sihasak to join Bhumjaithai?
• People's Party shows off picks for DPM

www.coffeeparliament.com/p/2026-elect...

You're right. (Technically Suriya also studied engineering I believe?)

The Programmer and the Scientist The People's Party and Pheu Thai launch their campaigns

The People's Party nominated a programmer and Pheu Thai nominated a scientist for prime minister. Both are unusual backgrounds for Thailand's PMs. These parties appear to have entered a STEM-themed election not by choice but by circumstance: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-progra...

Could the Election Be Delayed? And some more NIDA polling results

Today's Coffee Parliament newsletter: some legal questions about whether the border conflict could lead to an election postponement, and a look at the Q4 NIDA poll.
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/could-the-...