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The chaopho have won over the hearts of the people all over Thailand first before they tried for positions in the Parliament. Their personal connections with the people is based on their centuries' worth of credibility, as they have helped the people, serving the interest of the public and bearing palpable results. Therefore, despite their flawed history, the trust people have for them made it possible to still win the elections.

This is similar to Indonesia's most recent general elections, when political leaders uses their personal popularity to win over the elections instead of debating other opponents through their differences in vision and mission. As a result, there is a large proportion of celebrities in the parliament, where they won over other members who have much more experience in governing.

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The chaopho in rural thailand are able to win political power as through winning elections, they were able to gain more access to government resources as well as ensure that law enforcement officers could not reach them. This further allowed them to engage in more organised crime, and ensured that law enforcement officers could not reach them. Moreover, they were benefactors to their communities. Thus despite their controversial behaviour and activities such as drug and arms trafficking, as well as prostitution, they were able to win political power and gain much control in society.

This situation is somewhat similar to the Italian mafias, notably 'Ndrangheta, who rose to power in the 18th century. It is one of the most powerful and influential mafia clans thanks to the quasi-monopoly on the European cocaine trade. It provided protection and financial support to its loyal followers and were able to establishe strong connections with the police, government officials and law enforcement officers, allowing them to get away with numerous vices and other criminal activites.

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In Thailand, figures known as chaopho often rise to political power through their ability to fill governance vacuums in rural areas. These individuals usually participate in both legitimate business ventures and illegal activities such as gambling and smuggling, using the wealth generated to support local communities. This patron-client relationship is crucial, as it builds a loyal base of support among local voters who see these chaopho as providers of jobs, financial aid, and security. By portraying themselves as benefactors and protectors, chaopho gain both political influence and a facade of legitimacy.

For instance, Mr. C.K. from Bangkok is one example. Despite his notorious background and involvement in illicit activities, he is revered locally for his contributions to community welfare and dispute mediation. This dual role of being both a provider and an enforcer places chaopho in a unique position, allowing them to transition into formal political roles while maintaining their influence over both the lawful and unlawful aspects of society.

This pattern of local tyrants wielding political power is also visible in the Philippines. Political warlords similarly take advantage of weak state infrastructure to assert their dominance. They provide security and economic opportunities in areas where the govenment is either unable or unwilling to do so, securing the loyalty of their supporters despite their often controversial activities.

The similarity across these countries is the exploitation of state inadequacies to establish another power. Where state capacity is limited, public trust in formal institutions erodes, allowing others like chaopho to step in and take power.

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The ‘chaopho’ in Thailand have been able to win political power in Thailand despite their controversial behaviour and activities due to their long-standing influence in the local communities. The ‘chaopho’ have deep history with the locals, serving as patrons and benefactors, often with the aim to gain public support, which has boosted their images as benevolent leaders, allowing them to forge connections with politicians, stabilising their networks and granting them even more power.

Their political power, along with the economic power amassed from their illegal activities, have allowed them to enter Parliament. When elected legally, this lends them a veneer of legitimacy, and further increases their political power and popularity. Local communities can be easily bought over by the financial assistance that the ‘chaopho’ offer, and if not, will be violently coerced into submission.

This situation, where the (suspiciously) rich and powerful exert their influence over the masses, can be seen in the cartels in Latin America, as well as the Mafia in Italy. In Latin America, drug cartels have spread their influence through Mexico and the United States. Similarly to the ‘chaopho’, the drug cartels control swaths of territory in Mexico, and the government’s unwillingness to fight the cartels has led to those living under the cartels’ rule to be under their mercy, with the residents having to pay protection money, amongst other things.

As for the Mafia in Italy, their long history in Italy, as well as their high economic power (an estimated 7-9% of Italy’s GDP is produced by them) has resulted in their influence in Italy having great control over Italy, despite the government’s best efforts at curbing them. As such, the ‘chaopho’ has some similarities with the cartels and the Mafia, with economic power playing a large part in control of territory and influence.

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The chaopho hold significant political and economical influence, as they are well positioned as figures of authority and power. This social hierarchy evolved as a result of the chaopho’s image of an economic benefactor to the needy, providing financial aid to anyone who came to him for help. As a result, the people have become reliant on their assistance, and can be easily bought or swayed to vote for the chaopho in political events. The chaopho are generally well respected and accepted to be leaders of not just their community, but businesses as well, further boosting their high socioeconomic position in society. With their large sphere of control and ability to amass votes, governmental officials tend to view the chaopho as valuable allies, hence creating connections and working together with them,  aiding in the chaopho’s journey to become politicians as well. The large scale of support by both the people and the government have thus allowed the chaopho to win political power in Thailand. This is similar to the situation in Sicily, Italy, where the Italian mafia are often found in high positions of power, supported by their popularity from the people as well as the socioeconomic ties to the government.

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Abdul Hafiz Bin Abdul Malik, Raffles Institution

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Abdul Hafiz Bin Abdul Malik, Raffles Institution

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The chaopho in Thailand have been able to enter parliament throughout history despite their controversial reputation due to a variety of reasons, ranging from their strong local influence on Thai communities, wealth and resources, networks and connections with local government officials and law enforcement, and cultural factors such as respect for authority and patronage. These factors have allowed them to build organisational loyalty, fund political campaigns, build up a reputation on the political scene, and eventually permitted some of their members to enter the Ratthasapha despite their controversial activities.

The chaopho's ability to maintain political influence despite their reputation is similarities with the situation of that of the Mexican drug cartels. The cartels , most notably the Sinaloa Cartel, have built strong local relationships, providing protection and financial support for loyal supporters, and have established connections with government officials and law enforcement at all levels and branches.

As a result, such influences has led to corruption, violence, and instability in both countries, highlighting the need for greater governmental focus in terms of incorruptibility and accountability to address these issues.

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Chaopho’s, despite their controversial backgrounds and activities, have managed to secure positions in Parliament. Their success can be attributed to a combination of historical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors unique to Thailand. Chaopho often wield significant influence and resources within their communities, garnered from participation in illegal enterprises like smuggling and gambling. Their ability to navigate intricate patronage networks and form alliances with established political elites facilitates their electoral victories.

The political ascent of chaopho underscores the weaknesses in Thailand's institutional mechanisms for accountability and transparency. Corruption and patronage are deeply entrenched, allowing these figures to exploit connections and resources without facing consequences. Additionally, in rural areas where chaopho hold sway, voters may prioritize personal connections over policy agendas, further cementing their power.

This phenomenon is not unique to Thailand. Politically influential figures with controversial backgrounds exist globally, albeit with variations. In some countries, individuals with ties to organised crime have successfully entered politics by leveraging their resources and connections. However, the extent to which such figures thrive depends on factors like the strength of institutions and public tolerance for corruption.

In more established democracies, mechanisms for transparency and accountability serve as stronger deterrents to the rise of individuals with questionable backgrounds. Nonetheless, the allure of power and the complexities of political dynamics ensure that the phenomenon persists across different contexts, shaped by each country's unique circumstances.

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Such figures were able to win political power by ensuring that they held a prominent position among people. This can be in terms of helping people when they come to them or making themselves look good like joining other people in doing volunteer service like cleaning the beach like Mayor.S .All of them were charitable leaders where they ensured other people's welfare both financially and psychologically. This resulted in people to be in debt to them and thus electing them as leaders. Some of the political power they achieved also came from their involvement in illegal activities. One example is Kamnan.W where he used violence and threatened to kill his opponents to have sole power.

When comparing the situation to other countries, this situation is not usually present. This is because political figures do not achieve power through illegal ways but rather through legal ways. This can be seen as other country leaders are mostly not involved in such illegal activities.

One main comparison is such godfathers do not achieve political power through political parties and elections but rather through their influence and wealth.

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The author discusses the so-called chaopho ("godfathers") in rural Thailand, many of whom have become members of Parliament in spite of their controversial behaviour and activities. In no more than 300 words, discuss why such figures are able to win political power in Thailand and how this situation compares to what you know about other countries