The pro-democracy People’s party is leading the polls, but Thailand has been here before

Youthful leader feels he can bring change this election despite the fate of its 2023 predecessor, Move Forward, which was dissolved by authorities

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flood of gifts are passed by adoring fans to 38-year-old Thai politician Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. 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.”