Thailand’s colourful elections

Battling it out: While Rukchanok – aka Ice – is not a prime minister candidate, her popularity might just give her party’s candidate, Natthaphong, an edge. — AFP

ON stage at the indoor stadium in Bangkok on Friday night was Thai political rock star Rukchanok “Ice” Srinork. A recent poll ranked the 33-year-old first-time MP as the most popular politician in the country. Born in a Bangkok slum and abandoned by her parents, Rukchanok was raised by a working-class family. She has risen to become the face of a generational defiance against Thailand’s old guard.

As the People’s Party politician addressed the orange-clad crowd, the energy felt electrifying.