The upcoming election isn't only inducing the spirit of democracy as well as sheer excitement over the pending political dramas and rivalries. It is also taking us back to populism -- a political approach that tries to win over the hearts of ordinary people who feel their concerns have been sidelined by the established elite groups. In populism, personable politicians offer generous welfare policies to cater to the needs of their voters.
According to the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), the total cost of the populist projects being offered by the nine main political parties in this general election will cost 3.4 trillion baht. The populist projects promised by the two most famous and likely winners will cost 2 trillion baht to realise, according to TDRI's survey released earlier this week.
