BANGKOK: Thailand’s voters have delivered a resounding rejection of around a decade of military-backed rule as the election results reveal a strong disapproval of the current government and a preference for pro-democracy opposition political parties.
The progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) of Thailand is poised to become the largest party, potentially setting the stage for a clash with Thailand’s influential royalist-military establishment.
Despite a high voter turnout and the victory of opposition parties, concerns persist regarding potential interference and subsequent instability. With 97 percent of polling stations reporting, the MFP has secured the highest number of votes, followed by the Pheu Thai party and Prime Minister Prayut’s United Thai Nation party.
This outcome deals a significant blow to Pheu Thai, which had consistently won the majority of seats since 2001 under the leadership of Thaksin Shinawatra.
While the opposition parties including the MFP and Pheu Thai plan to discuss forming coalition, they may face some challenges due to the military-favoring 2017 constitution. The selection of the new prime minister involves a concensus decision between elected Members of Parliament and junta-appointed Senate members, giving the ruling military an advantage.
Moreover, rumors circulate about a potential court-ordered dissolution for the MFP party, similar to the fate of its predecessor, the Future Forward Party.
This election follows the 2020 protests that questioned the monarchy’s power and saw the MFP garner support from younger generations, while Pheu Thai mainly relied on its traditional rural base. Prime Minister Prayut, despite facing criticism for the economy and pandemic response, expressed thanks to voters and made a nationalist appeal.
Thailand’s history is marked by a cycle of coups, protests, and dissolved parties, leaving uncertainty surrounding the relationship between the powerful royalist-military and the MFP.
Thailand’s Voters Reject Military-Backed Government
Thai voters have resoundingly rejected almost a decade of military-backed government, according to election results released on Monday. The results show strong support for two major pro-democracy opposition parties, which are now expected to engage in coalition discussions.
The progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which aims to reform Thailand’s strict laws against insulting the monarchy, appears to be on track to become the largest political party, setting the stage for a potential clash with the country’s powerful royalist-military elite.
Thais turned out in large numbers to vote in an election campaign that pitted a younger generation yearning for change against the conservative elite represented by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former army chief who controlled power in a 2014 coup.
However, in a country where court and coups orders have often superseded the ballot box, concerns remain that the results may face obstacles, potentially leading to further instability.
With results from 97 percent of polling stations counted, data from the Election Commission shows that the MFP has secured the highest number of votes, followed by Prayut’s United Thai Nation party and the Pheu Thai party.
The outcome is a significant achievement for the MFP, a relatively new party that tapped into the energy of radical youth-led pro-democracy street protests that shook Bangkok in 2020. Pita Limjaroenrat, the party’s leader, stated that they have closed the door on the possibility of army-backed parties forming a minority government.
The MFP intends to engage in talks with the Pheu Thai party, and a coalition deal is likely. Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra congratulated the MFP on its success and expressed openness to working together. The Election Commission of Thailand is expected to officially confirm the final number of seats.
