By Panu Wongcha-um
BANGKOK, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Thailand's main political parties held their final campaign events on Friday, rallying supporters two days ahead of a general election that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul triggered early to capitalise on a wave of nationalism.
Anutin's move to dissolve parliament after less than 100 days in office came amid deadly border clashes with Cambodia in December, which supercharged patriotic fervour across the country of 53 million voters, but he has since run into stiff competition.
Polls show the electoral contest remains a three-way tussle between Anutin's ruling Bhumjaithai, the progressive People's Party and the populist Pheu Thai party.
"This government has brought pride to the Thai people by preserving the independence and sovereignty of the nation," Anutin told a rally, also promising to scrap a key bilateral agreement with Cambodia if he is voted back to power.
"We've been on a trial period for four months and we're requesting to continue working for another four years."
'VOTE FOR CHANGE'
The reformist People's Party and its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut are leading the pack by some margin - and thousands of its supporters crammed into an indoor stadium in Bangkok, many dressed in its signature orange colour.
"Are you going to vote because you love the country the most? Or you'll vote because you fight for democracy? I'd say the two things can go together," 38-year-old Natthaphong said.
"On February 8, use your pen to vote for change. Change from politics of the elite to politics for the people."
Despite its message of reforms cutting through the surging nationalism, neither People's Party nor any of its rivals are expected to win an outright majority.
That could leave parliament as fractured as when Anutin dissolved the body citing struggles to run a minority government during some of the worst border fighting in decades.
ANUTIN TRAILING
In a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration released last Friday, People's Party leader Natthaphong remained the frontrunner at 29.08%, followed by Anutin in second place at 22.24%.
Another survey by Suan Dusit University published on the same day showed Anutin at third, trailing Pheu Thai's candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat, the son of a former premier. Natthaphong held the top spot.
Anutin's decision to dissolve parliament earlier than expected was driven as much by political survival, with People's Party on the verge of launching a no-confidence motion against him.
"Anutin's hand was forced because he was running a minority government," said political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
REFORMS PROMISE
To take power after the collapse of Pheu Thai's ruling coalition last August, Anutin made a deal with People's Party in return for its backing for him as premier.
But the pact unravelled and Anutin dissolved the house, even as fighting raged with Cambodia before halting weeks later with a truce.
"Although the ceasefire over the Thai-Cambodian border war is still in effect and has dampened the nationalist fervour, Anutin will still rely on nationalism and royalism to retain office," Thitinan said, referring to the premier's reverence for the powerful monarchy.
Although its predecessor was blocked from taking power after it won the 2023 election, the People's Party has been able to sustain its momentum during this campaign, with its progressive stance drawing in those hoping for systemic and deep reforms.
It has led opinion polls since December, buoyed by detailed policy plans and a revamped team to address criticism that they lack experience to run a government.
"I want to see Thailand change. I want to see the People’s Party form the government," said supporter Anuphon Taunkheer, 30.
"It is honest and straightforward with the people."
(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Napat Wesshasartar, Minh Nguyen, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Juarawee Kittisilpa, Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal, Josh Smith and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
