Abstract:
Political communication is a crucial factor influencing the success of election campaigns, especially in the context of Thailand, where citizens are highly politically aware and digital media plays a significant role. The Move Forward Party, as a new political party with progressive ideas, adopted diverse communication strategies during the parliamentary election on May 14, 2023, to build awareness, spark interest, and expand its support base. This research examines the party's communication strategies through in-depth interviews with 17 key informants, including election candidates, political strategists, campaign managers, and supporter groups. The analysis explores target audience segmentation based on demographic, geographic, behavioral, and psychographic factors, as well as the selection of communication channels such as social media (Facebook, Twitter, TikTok), on-site rallies, mass media, and print media.
The research findings reveal that the Move Forward Party successfully defined its target audience with precision, dividing groups by demographic characteristics and lifestyle for example, young urban liberals and rural populations seeking change. The party implemented a comprehensive communication mechanism, including: Communication through local organizations Leveraging mass media and online platforms to amplify awareness Collaborating with civil society, including activists and local volunteer groups
The party conducted a well-structured campaign with clear goals, designing strategies tailored to the context of each area. Key strategies included building a distinctive image, using social media to generate momentum, engaging in two-way communication to listen to citizens, producing emotionally resonant and hope-inspiring content, and swiftly managing crises and countering misinformation. In conclusion, the Move Forward Partys communication strategy exemplifies goal-oriented, multidimensional, and citizen-responsive political communication. These efforts enabled the party to establish a strong voter base and gain widespread support in the 2023 election.