 General Arthit also played a role in the 1985 election which brought Chamlong Srimuang to the governorship of Bangkok.Arthit urged his subordinates and their families to vote against any party that had an anti-military orientation, particularly the Democrats.In 1986, General Arthit lobbied vigorously to extend his term as Army Commander another year to September 1987, which would allow him to retain influence after the expiration of Prem's term as Prime Minister.