In the US, where only two political parties exist, the choice for voters is simple, especially as the Democrats and Republicans each have distinctive core policies that have remained unchanged for decades.
But in Thailand, where more than 30 political parties exist, the question of who to vote for is a little more complicated.
It has never ceased to surprise a provincial girl like me that Bangkokians tend to limit their voting choices to two or three political parties at most.
The Democrats once dominated elections in the capital, before seeing the title transferred to the Palang Dhamma Party. Now it is a battle between the Democrats and Pheu Thai. To my surprise, other parties have also joined the race in Bangkok, but most of their candidates failed.
Many of my friends say that they automatically vote for Democrat candidates at any level, believing that the oldest political party has built a thorough screening process to maintain its credibility. In short, they think Democrat candidates are the cleanest. That may explain why they are so happy to have the Prime Minister representing their beloved party.
But that begs the question, how many political parties do these people know, even by their names, let alone their policies?
But then I realised the answer doesn't matter. There is no need to pay attention to political parties' policies, given that they are all the same. That's why people pay more attention to the candidates themselves - they are the ones who create policies and are accountable for delivering on their promises.
That also explains why many Bangkokians still believe that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was born to be leader, despite the negative news that has rocked his party. Even when he delivered a lightning brief on the national reconciliation plan when the country's rift was at its widest, he was forgiven for the lack of detail.
Given that personality rules the scene, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation, would be a favourite to get elected in Bangkok should he resign from the military and enter politics. The city seems to be abuzz with talk of his charm and down-to-earth views, despite the huge power over our lives he is holding.
Many hard-working politicians must envy Abhisit and Sansern. These less glamorous types may have the looks, but probably lack other qualities Abhisit enjoys - the good education and the rhetorical skill. They may be down-to-earth, too, but don't get the chance to appear on TV as often as Sansern.
Now I understand what former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra felt when he was in power and showed up on our TV screens almost every day. If personality rules, he beat them all back then. The desire to return to the limelight must be eating him badly right now.