Introduction -- Culture, politics, and the uses of political culture -- Remarks on approach and method -- Songkhla in the regional and political landscape -- The by-election: defending the democrat heartland -- Local politics goes national a convergence of spheres -- The 2005 national elections (1): contested images, competing loyalities -- The 2005 national elections (2): alliances and persuasions: hua khanaen and vote-buying -- The 2005 national elections (3): interpreting victory and defeat -- Conclusion: anatomy of the democrat ascendancy