Ken Mathis Lohatepanont
@kenlmathis.bsky.social
Political Science Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Michigan. Thailand/Southeast Asia analyst. Studying parties in emerging democracies and the politics of development. kenlmathis.com
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...
The Southern Electoral Battleground
"You cannot give just half your love"
www.coffeeparliament.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:13 AM
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...
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
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
January 19, 2026 at 6:56 AM
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
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
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...
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...
2026 Election Weekly Briefing (Jan 16)
Updates on the People's Party, and a Cambodian intervention
www.coffeeparliament.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:41 AM
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...
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...
My "vibe check" of the 2026 election campaign at its midway point. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/campaign-m...
Campaign Midway Point Vibe Check
Thoughts on latest NIDA forecast
www.coffeeparliament.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:41 AM
My "vibe check" of the 2026 election campaign at its midway point. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/campaign-m...
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...
• 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...
2026 Election Weekly Briefing (Jan 9)
Pheu Thai rally, Songkhla polling, and more
www.coffeeparliament.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM
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...
• 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...
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...
I take a look at what's unfolding on that front: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/a-quiet-co...
A Quiet Constitutional Referendum
Little buzz around the question of drafting a new constitution
www.coffeeparliament.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:43 AM
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...
I take a look at what's unfolding on that front: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/a-quiet-co...
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...
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...
Undecideds Hold the Key
Unusually indecisive electorate makes for a volatile election
www.coffeeparliament.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:12 AM
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...
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...
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-...
Two Prime Ministers and Their Technocrats
And a weekly election briefing (December 26)
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:25 AM
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-...
A summary of the first PM candidates' debate: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/pm-candida...
PM Candidates Participate in First Debate
A debate dominated by national security and grey capital
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:58 AM
A summary of the first PM candidates' debate: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/pm-candida...
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...
Here's why, if current trends continue, I think Anutin has a good chance of remaining prime minister:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...
Bhumjaithai's "Big House" Edge
Why Bhumjaithai is the early frontrunner in this election
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:47 AM
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...
Here's why, if current trends continue, I think Anutin has a good chance of remaining prime minister:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...
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...
• 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...
2026 Election Weekly Briefing (Dec 19)
Chart Pattana declines to contest election, Foreign Minister Sihasak to Bhumjaithai reports, and more
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:52 AM
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...
• 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...
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...
The Programmer and the Scientist
The People's Party and Pheu Thai launch their campaigns
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:41 AM
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...
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-...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/could-the-...
Could the Election Be Delayed?
And some more NIDA polling results
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:38 AM
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-...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/could-the-...
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's request to dissolve parliament has been granted. An election will be held within 45-60 days.
A look at what brought us here and where we stand:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/anutin-ret...
A look at what brought us here and where we stand:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/anutin-ret...
Anutin "Returns Power to the People"
A new election will be held in early 2026
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's request to dissolve parliament has been granted. An election will be held within 45-60 days.
A look at what brought us here and where we stand:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/anutin-ret...
A look at what brought us here and where we stand:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/anutin-ret...
I've written up an analysis of where Thailand's main parties stand on the eve of an election campaign, based on the results of a wave of NIDA regional polling. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/where-the-...
Where the Parties Stand: Analyzing NIDA's Regional Polling
Polls from five regions help us see the pre-campaign baseline
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I've written up an analysis of where Thailand's main parties stand on the eve of an election campaign, based on the results of a wave of NIDA regional polling. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/where-the-...
The Chart Thai Party and its reincarnation could be considered Thailand's second-oldest surviving party. Yet it now appears to be closing up shop.
I take a look at the party's history and why its leaders has decided not to bet on its future: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-death-...
I take a look at the party's history and why its leaders has decided not to bet on its future: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-death-...
The Death of an Old Party
Chart Thai Pattana's MPs go to Bhumjaithai
www.coffeeparliament.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The Chart Thai Party and its reincarnation could be considered Thailand's second-oldest surviving party. Yet it now appears to be closing up shop.
I take a look at the party's history and why its leaders has decided not to bet on its future: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-death-...
I take a look at the party's history and why its leaders has decided not to bet on its future: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-death-...
Authorities both local and central have come under fire for their response to the catastrophic floods in Southern Thailand. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/floods-ove...
Floods Overwhelm the South — and the Authorities
Disaster preparedness and relief efforts come under fire
www.coffeeparliament.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Authorities both local and central have come under fire for their response to the catastrophic floods in Southern Thailand. www.coffeeparliament.com/p/floods-ove...
Bhumjaithai's nomination of two "outsider" technocrats as prime minister candidates signals a major party rebrand. Pheu Thai, on the other hand, might double-down on its family-first image. Some thoughts on a tale of two election strategies.
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...
Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai: A Tale of Two Election Strategies
Will the two parties swap places?
www.coffeeparliament.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Bhumjaithai's nomination of two "outsider" technocrats as prime minister candidates signals a major party rebrand. Pheu Thai, on the other hand, might double-down on its family-first image. Some thoughts on a tale of two election strategies.
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/bhumjaitha...
The Anutin government may face a vote of no confidence before the end of the year. But as the party that made this government possible, how will the People's Party react?
My piece on the unenviable position the PP finds itself in: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/no-confide...
My piece on the unenviable position the PP finds itself in: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/no-confide...
No Confidence in a No-Confidence Debate
The People's Party is in a trap of its own making
www.coffeeparliament.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:05 AM
The Anutin government may face a vote of no confidence before the end of the year. But as the party that made this government possible, how will the People's Party react?
My piece on the unenviable position the PP finds itself in: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/no-confide...
My piece on the unenviable position the PP finds itself in: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/no-confide...
All Thai university students now have free access to Google AI Pro. This prompted some reflection on how politicians need to also think carefully about how to prevent "cognitive offloading":
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/ai-and-the...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/ai-and-the...
AI and the Temptation of "Educational Populism"
Calls for "mindful AI use" won't be enough
www.coffeeparliament.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:19 AM
All Thai university students now have free access to Google AI Pro. This prompted some reflection on how politicians need to also think carefully about how to prevent "cognitive offloading":
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/ai-and-the...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/ai-and-the...
Anutin made his debut on the international stage last week at the ASEAN and APEC summits. A summary of his diplomatic efforts: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/anutins-in...
Anutin's International Debut
New prime minister makes deals at ASEAN and APEC summits
www.coffeeparliament.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Anutin made his debut on the international stage last week at the ASEAN and APEC summits. A summary of his diplomatic efforts: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/anutins-in...
Thailand now finds itself in a situation where virtually all the major parties have entered into toxic alliances with supposed enemies.
fulcrum.sg/grand-compro...
fulcrum.sg/grand-compro...
Grand Compromise or Grand Damage to Thailand’s Party System? | FULCRUM
Thailand has been caught in a series of political compromises made between strange bedfellows. If this continues, voters will become more cynical about the political system’s ability to deliver out…
fulcrum.sg
October 28, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Thailand now finds itself in a situation where virtually all the major parties have entered into toxic alliances with supposed enemies.
fulcrum.sg/grand-compro...
fulcrum.sg/grand-compro...
King Rama IX was once asked by a journalist why he does not usually smile. Gesturing to Queen Sirikit, he said: “She is my smile.” The King and Queen stood side by side through a reign that transformed Thailand. A tribute to the late Queen Mother: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/she-is-my-...
"She Is My Smile"
In memory of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother
www.coffeeparliament.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:59 AM
King Rama IX was once asked by a journalist why he does not usually smile. Gesturing to Queen Sirikit, he said: “She is my smile.” The King and Queen stood side by side through a reign that transformed Thailand. A tribute to the late Queen Mother: www.coffeeparliament.com/p/she-is-my-...
If PM Anutin wants to keep his job after the next election, Bhumjaithai will likely need to double its seats.
I take a look at what Bhumjaithai's playbook may be and whether they're on track to achieve their goals:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/can-anutin...
I take a look at what Bhumjaithai's playbook may be and whether they're on track to achieve their goals:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/can-anutin...
Can Anutin Win?
What we've learned from his first month
www.coffeeparliament.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:06 AM
If PM Anutin wants to keep his job after the next election, Bhumjaithai will likely need to double its seats.
I take a look at what Bhumjaithai's playbook may be and whether they're on track to achieve their goals:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/can-anutin...
I take a look at what Bhumjaithai's playbook may be and whether they're on track to achieve their goals:
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/can-anutin...
After a 6-year hiatus, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made a comeback as the leader of the Democrat Party. Can he reverse the fortunes of an almost 80-year old party in what had looked like terminal decline?
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-democr...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-democr...
The Democrat Old Guard Mounts a Comeback
Abhisit Vejjajiva returns as Democrat leader
www.coffeeparliament.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:15 AM
After a 6-year hiatus, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made a comeback as the leader of the Democrat Party. Can he reverse the fortunes of an almost 80-year old party in what had looked like terminal decline?
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-democr...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/the-democr...