On December 31, 2024, Nong Khai provincial council candidate Mr. Arthit Boonthan, 40, from the People’s Party, died in a car accident on Route 212 in Rattanawapi District, Nong Khai. The accident occurred at around 7:40 p.m. near a dark, curved section of the road. Police suspect the crash was caused by fatigue and high speed, as Mr. Arthit had been campaigning intensively in the lead-up to the local election.
Mr. Arthit was a frontrunner among the People’s Party’s 17 candidates for the Nong Khai PAO election, representing Constituency 2, where he was running as Candidate No. 2. Previously a candidate for the Future Forward-affiliated Progressive Movement in the last PAO election, he had gained recognition for his dedication to public service despite losing that race.
Party leader Mr. Saweang Ratchapon, a former Move Forward MP for Nong Khai, expressed deep sorrow over Mr. Arthit's death. He described the late candidate as hardworking and popular, with growing support among voters in Rattanawapi District. Mr. Arthit was considered one of the party's 10 strongest candidates likely to win in the upcoming election.
People’s Party leaders and other candidates have since visited Mr. Arthit’s family to offer condolences and support.