Polls add to growing list of govt problems

The political temperature is rising with several events likely this year which could determine whether the government survives, former Democrat Party leader Banyat Banyadtan said.

Polls scheduled in the first half of the year will fuel political uncertainties, which will turn up the heat on the government, the veteran politician said, referring to the by-elections in Chumphon, Songkhla and Bangkok’s Laksi district, as well as the election in Pattaya City and Bangkok’s gubernatorial race.

That said, Mr Banyat said, the election to watch this year is the general election, which may come sooner than some think, despite Gen Prayut’s recent announcement that he intends to stay on as premier until the 2022 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in November.

The elections, Mr Banyat said, will not only gauge the government’s popularity but also put Gen Prayut’s…