On 1 February, most provinces across Thailand will hold elections for the presidents of Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs) and/or PAO council members, save for provinces where PAO presidents resigned before their terms expired and so already had an election. This round of local elections is drawing attention as political parties are openly endorsing candidates and fielding their most prominent figures—an unprecedented development. In Ubon Ratchathani, which had its PAO election on 22 December 2024, politicians must navigate a complex mix of ideological divides, local sentiments, and personal relationships in their quest for local administrative power.

Local governance in Thailand is often perceived as a breeding ground for corruption, but the statistics tell a different story. Instead, Thai local governments have made progress in combating corruption, and instead of interfering with local policies, the Bangkok government should prioritize strengthening oversight mechanism.

Two decades after a government initiative to promote fairer access to education, only 2% of schools have been transferred to Local Administrative Organizations (LAOs). Yet small groups of local school administrators are proving the policy’s potential.