After nearly a decade of military-backed governments, Thailand’s parliamentary elections have seen a clear victory for the two main opposition parties. After counting the votes in 97 percent of the polling stations, the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) was ahead with 13.5 million votes, followed by the opposition Pheu Thai Party (PTP) with 10.3 million. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s United Thai Nation (UTN) party, which is backed by the military, fell far behind in third place with some 4.5 million votes. MFP boss Pita Limjaroenrat promised a coalition with the PTP.
However, due to the political system in Thailand, Prayuth could remain in power even after a clear defeat: according to the constitution adopted in 2017 under the then ruling military junta, the head of government in Thailand is not only elected by the 500 members of parliament, but also determined by the Army’s 250 Senators.
Military related candidates with an advantage
Head of government will be anyone who has at least 376 total votes – so just 125 votes from the House of Representatives are likely enough for a candidate with close ties to the military. Even after the last elections in 2019, the support of the senators was crucial for the coalition under Prayut.
According to a forecast released early Monday morning (local time) by the Thai Electoral Commission, the MFP won 113 parliamentary seats through a direct mandate and the PTP 112. 100 seats will be distributed by proportional representation, but the official figures on the distribution of the chairs will not be published for several weeks.
MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat said after the partial results were released that his party had “closed the door” on any army-backed minority party government. An alliance with the PTP is “absolutely likely”.
Results shaped by young voters
The leading MFP in the partial results is particularly popular with supporters of the youth-heavy pro-democracy protests that have been taking place in the capital Bangkok since 2020, calling for reform of the Thai monarchy.
The top candidate of the opposition PTP, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is in second place according to the first figures, is the daughter of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in 2006 and now lives in exile. The PTP has strongholds in rural northeast Thailand, where many people are still grateful for the measures introduced under Thaksin’s government to support vulnerable citizens.
A potential kingmaker is Prayuth’s ex-ally Prawit Wongsuwan, who ran for the army-backed Palang Pracharath (PPRP).
Sunday’s general election, with around 52 million voters in total, was the first nationwide election since pro-democracy protests began in 2020. It has become a generational divide between the pro-democracy opposition, backed by young and rural voters, and the conservative, with the military-allied royalist establishment typified by Prayuth and his UTN.
Since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, there have been twelve successful coups in Thailand. Observers believe that military intervention is possible if the current opposition parties form a government. In addition, rumors recently circulated in the country that the opposition MFP could be dissolved by a court order – just like its predecessor party FFP after the surprisingly good election result in 2019.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
