In the election held on Sunday, the populist Pheu Thai Party and the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), both of which are hostile to the military’s involvement in politics, took home the most seats and the majority of the popular vote.
According to early election results, Thailand’s voters have dealt a surprise setback to the military-backed administration that has ruled the nation since a coup in 2014.In the election held on Sunday, the populist Pheu Thai Party and the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), both of which are hostile to the military’s involvement in politics, took home the most seats and the majority of the popular vote.
The Shinawatra family is surpassed by the Move Forward Party (MFP).
In the lower house of parliament, the MFP, a new party founded in 2020 by young activists and academics, gained 148 seats out of 500, with 113 seats coming from direct elections and 35 from party lists. The party ran for office on a platform of institutional change, which called for changing the constitution and the lese majeste legislation, which makes it illegal to criticize the monarchy.
In a statement released in the wee hours of Monday, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said, “Dear fellow citizens, today I am ‘Clear’ and ‘Ready’ to be the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand.”With 111 seats gained directly and 27 via the party list, the Pheu Thai Party, which is affiliated with the wealthy Shinawatra family and has controlled Thai politics for two decades, won 138 seats. In the rural north and northeast of the nation, the party has a devoted base of supporters who benefited from its populist programs when it was in office.
defeat of incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha
With only 36 seats, the United Thai Nation Party (UTNP), led by the current prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the army coup in 2014, came in fifth. The party had planned to maintain Prayuth in power by winning enough support from its allies and the senate that was selected by the military, but its dismal performance has destroyed those aspirations.
The election results demonstrate that Thai citizens are sick of the military’s meddling in politics and desire a shift in the country’s course. But it won’t be simple for the opposition parties to establish a new administration because they will have to bargain with other smaller parties and face potential legal resistance from the military camp. By June 15, the final results should be made public.
