"Supporters, many of them young students, hand over orange garlands, plastic oranges on string, fresh orange fruit, a bunch of bananas and some corn on the cob. The trademark orange colour is one of the few things that has remained constant for his youthful, pro-reform party, which has been dissolved twice by Thailand's constitutional court, and forced to regroup under new names and new leaders."
"If you define yourselves as being on the side of democracy, give us a chance, Natthaphong urged a crowd of supporters at a campaign rally for his People's party in Udon Thani, in north-eastern Thailand this week. This party loves democracy. People's party, fuelled by support among young and urban voters, is leading opinion polls ahead of the election on Sunday. However, it is not expected to win an outright majority, and it may face an uphill struggle to form a coalition with rivals,"
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, 38, attracts adoring supporters who present orange-themed gifts tied to the party's trademark color. The People's Party is youthful and pro-reform, has been dissolved twice by Thailand's constitutional court, and has repeatedly regrouped under new names and leaders. Strong backing from young and urban voters has propelled the party to lead opinion polls ahead of the election. The party is unlikely to secure an outright majority and may struggle to build a coalition with rival parties that have previously blocked its bids for power. The party also faces looming legal battles and competition from established rivals.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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