AFTER visiting the stronghold of their political rivals in the provinces of Nakhon Phanom and Udon Thani last week, the Democrats are confident that they will be able to grab at least 20 seats in the region in the next election.

Several Democrat heavyweights such as party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, secretary-general Juti Krairerk, Kalaya Sophonpanich, Siriwan Prassajaksatru, Kiat Sittheeamorn and Chamni Sakdiset stopped off at religious sites such as Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom and found themselves flocked by supporters.

The Democrats knew they would not be taken to task for violating the junta’s ban on political activities, because ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra had got away doing the same thing – visiting temples, making merit and meeting people.

However, the Democrats have one tough question to find an answer: How will they win the hearts and minds of people in the Northeast? Despite being around for 70 years, the party only managed to garner four seats in the region in the last election.

When the Thaksin Shinawatra camp emerged in the political arena, they began claiming election victory in the region for 15 years straight.

The image of the Democrat Party is similar to that of the United States’ Republicans or the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, both of which are seen as being traditional and adhering to institution. In comparison, Pheu Thai Party is seen more like the US Democrat Party or the UK’s Labour Party – modern, fast working, exciting but not attached to institution. Pheu Thai is good at projecting its strengths and hitting at its rival’s weaknesses.

Hence, apart from revamping the party’s image, analysts believe that in order to win the goal of winning up to 25 seats instead of four, they will have to write good policies and recruit candidates who are suitable for the election criteria over the next 18 months.

But first they have to answer the one question that is on people’s mind: Is it true that they are the reason why Thaksin had to flee the country?

They also have to remove the belief that the Democrat Party belongs to the South.

In order to remove these beliefs, the Democrats will have to visit their Isaan constituents consistently, not just when they want their votes.

Critics believe that the new charter will have many provisions that are favourable to the Democrats. Yet, if they still can’t win the next election, they will really need to reform.

During their visit to the Northeast last week, there were no red shirts or opponents working to oust them – a likely scenario in normal circumstances due to the deep political divide.

This is because local leaders of their rival party are not allowed to gather by law, the Democrat is not a ruling party and there is no political competition at the moment.

In the Isaan region, the Democrats also have Bhum Jai Thai Party as another major rival, though it is believed to have been weakened by unfavourable electorate rules and regulations.

The Democrats are recruiting “A-list candidates” for this region in order to cater to the demands and wishes of the locals.

Policies that the party must project to attract locals are none other than how to give them more water and boost their harvests. In order to win more seats, the party must have other attractive selling points such as giving people the right to solve their problems and providing new ideas for society. They also need to change their image from “slow” to becoming more effective and swift. So, if the Democrats are actually able to win the hearts of Isaan people, their hope of winning the general election will not necessarily be beyond their reach.