Mechanisms and Patterns of Vote Buying and Selling in the Context of Villages in the Huai Thap Than Subdistrict Municipality, Huai Thap Than District, Sisaket Province Kulthida Thinkham ,Taksina Onchoi ,Warisara Sutthijak ,Wasana Odjai , Prathana Malithai , Luesak Sawaengmee

Abstract

This research aims to 1) examine the mechanisms and forms of vote-buying in the Huai Thap Than Subdistrict Municipality; 2) investigate the factors related to these mechanisms and forms; and 3) study the factors influencing them. Using quantitative methods and a questionnaire, data was collected from 357 eligible voters in the municipality, selected through stratified random sampling based on Yamane's formula (1937) with a 95% confidence level and a 0.05 margin of error. Data analysis includes mean, percentage, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis.

Findings indicate that poverty (= 4.22) is the highest factor, followed by the impact of vote-buying (= 3.97), local governance (= 3.87), resources (= 3.79), political culture (= 3.77), forms of vote-buying ( = 3.75), and mechanisms of vote-buying (= 3.73). Correlation analysis shows significant positive relationships between political culture (.739), local governance (.721), resources (.701), poverty (.510), and the mechanisms and forms of vote-buying at the .01 level. Multiple regression analysis reveals that culture (β = .392), governance (β = .273), and resources (β = .237) significantly influence vote-buying mechanisms and forms at the .05 level.

Recommendations include raising public awareness about the negative effects of vote-selling, promoting civic duty, conducting regular inspections, and assigning election officials to each village throughout the campaign period to ensure clear oversight and prevent vote-buying.