Thailand Election: Will military and establishment let pro-democracy parties take power?
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand Election: Will military and establishment let pro-democracy parties take power?

Firstpost  

On Sunday, Thailand’s Opposition secured a massive win against its conservative rivals in the general election. The pro-democracy Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties won 151 and 141 seats respectively in Thailand’s Lower House, while Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s United Thai Nation Party has just 36 seats. Let’s take a closer look: Pro-democracy parties prevail Pheu Thai, which had won the most votes in every ballot since 2001 including two landslide victories, was expected by many to win. But with 99 per cent of the votes counted by early Monday morning, the junior Opposition Move Forward Party had surpassed the Pheu Thai Party. The maverick Move Forward Party captured just over 24 per cent of the popular vote for the House of Representatives’ 400 constituency seats and an almost 36 per cent share of the vote for seats allocated in a separate nationwide ballot for the 100 members elected by proportional representation.

Military Political Election Parties Party Prime Minister Seats Thai Thailand Piece Forward Constitutional Court Pheu Thai Thaksin Move Forward Pheu Coups Prayuth  forward  pheu  power  establishment  seats  political  thailand  let  thai  election  parties  prodemocracy  military  piece  coups  party

History of this topic

Thai courts that have disbanded multiple governments are accused of setting back democracy
4 months, 1 week ago

Thai courts that have disbanded multiple governments are accused of setting back democracy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The Constitutional Court’s decision to …

‘The same book over and over’: Scepticism over ruling Pheu Thai in Thailand
9 months, 2 weeks ago

‘The same book over and over’: Scepticism over ruling Pheu Thai in Thailand

Al Jazeera  

Six months after party formed government in deal with military-backed parties, voters still hanker for change. Today, the Pheu Thai government seems to hope similar economic gains could paper over the political compromises it has made – neatly summed up by one of its campaign slogans: “Democracy you can eat”. “We want to remove all the laws that violate human …

Thailand’s Pheu Thai party joins with pro-military parties in coalition to form new government
1 year, 4 months ago

Thailand’s Pheu Thai party joins with pro-military parties in coalition to form new government

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Thailand’s populist Pheu Thai party announced Monday that it plans to form a new government with an 11-party coalition that includes two pro-military parties affiliated with outgoing Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Pheu Thai finished second in the elections but received a chance to form a government after members of the conservative unelected Senate repeatedly blocked the surprise winner, …

Thailand’s Pheu Thai allies with military rivals to form new government
1 year, 4 months ago

Thailand’s Pheu Thai allies with military rivals to form new government

Al Jazeera  

Move comes as Pheu Thai founder Thaksin Shinawatra prepares to return home after 15 years in self-imposed exile. Thailand’s populist Pheu Thai Party has formed a coalition with 10 other parties, including two allied with its former military rivals, in a bid to form a new government and end three months of political deadlock. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew told …

Thailand’s populist party Pheu Thai announces fresh coalition with government-aligned party
1 year, 4 months ago

Thailand’s populist party Pheu Thai announces fresh coalition with government-aligned party

The Hindu  

Thailand's populist Pheu Thai party announced Monday that it will form a coalition with a party from the outgoing military-backed administration to try to end nearly three months of political deadlock after the progressive party that won national elections was excluded from the formation of a new government. Pheu Thai, the second biggest party in the eight-party coalition, took over …

Populist party and member of outgoing administration will try to form Thailand’s next government
1 year, 4 months ago

Populist party and member of outgoing administration will try to form Thailand’s next government

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Thailand’s populist Pheu Thai party announced Monday that it will form a coalition with a party from the outgoing military-backed administration to try to end nearly three months of political deadlock after the progressive party that won national elections was excluded from the formation of a new government. Pheu Thai, the second biggest party in the eight-party coalition, …

Reformist Thai party is excluded from coalition to form the next government, runner-up party says
1 year, 4 months ago

Reformist Thai party is excluded from coalition to form the next government, runner-up party says

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. After its two failed attempts, Move Forward handed over the lead in forming a …

Progressive Thai party that won May election is excluded from coalition to form the next government
1 year, 4 months ago

Progressive Thai party that won May election is excluded from coalition to form the next government

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — The progressive political party that won the most seats in Thailand’s general election has been excluded from a coalition to form the next government, its former ally said Wednesday. After its two failed attempts, Move Forward handed over the lead in forming a new government to the populist second-biggest party in the coalition, Pheu Thai. Chonlanan Srikaew, Pheu …

Party that won Thai elections blocked from forming coalition government
1 year, 4 months ago

Party that won Thai elections blocked from forming coalition government

Al Jazeera  

Three months after vote, Move Forward Party excluded from talks to form the next government, former ally says. After its two failed attempts, Move Forward handed over the lead in forming a new government to the populist Pheu Thai, the second biggest party in its coalition. Chonlanan Srikaew, Pheu Thai’s leader, said at a news conference on Wednesday that after …

Subverting the mandate: The Hindu Editorial on the Thai elections and the military establishment
1 year, 5 months ago

Subverting the mandate: The Hindu Editorial on the Thai elections and the military establishment

The Hindu  

In the parliamentary elections in May, Thai voters sent a clear message to the country’s conservative military establishment, which had wrested power from an elected government in 2014. The reformist Move Forward and the pro-democracy Pheu Thai parties emerged as the largest parties, while all the pro-establishment parties did poorly. After the elections, eight Opposition parties, including the Move Forward …

Thailand’s Move Forward Party leader Pita falls short in parliamentary vote for prime minister
1 year, 5 months ago

Thailand’s Move Forward Party leader Pita falls short in parliamentary vote for prime minister

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — The leader of the progressive Thai political party that outpaced its rivals to a surprise first-place finish in May’s general election failed Thursday in his initial bid to have Parliament name him the country’s new prime minister. The biggest area of disagreement between the liberals backing Move Forward and the deeply conservative Senate is the campaign pledge of …

Thai opposition party struggles to take power after election win
1 year, 5 months ago

Thai opposition party struggles to take power after election win

Al Jazeera  

While the threats from Move Forward’s ideological foes are clear, what has been less expected are the tensions between it and the biggest partner in its coalition, the Pheu Thai party. While the threats from Move Forward’s ideological foes are clear, what has been less expected are the tensions between it and the biggest partner in its coalition, the Pheu …

A ‘new generation’ of women set to shake up politics in Thailand
1 year, 6 months ago

A ‘new generation’ of women set to shake up politics in Thailand

Al Jazeera  

Incoming MPs see their gender as a strength and say they are determined to push through the reforms Thai people voted for. “It’s a new generation, a new paradigm shift,” Ruengrawee said, adding that the more Thailand democratises, the more women will get involved in politics. “I realised I needed to make a better society for my children.” Now that …

A vote for change: The Hindu Editorial on the result of the Thai parliamentary election
1 year, 6 months ago

A vote for change: The Hindu Editorial on the result of the Thai parliamentary election

The Hindu  

For Thai voters, the May 14 parliamentary election offered a stark choice between the royalist, military-backed government and the pro-democratic, reformist opposition. Both the Move Forward and the Pheu Thai have promised to stand up to the military, which captured power in 2014 through a coup, and address the country’s economic issues. The Move Forward, a political upstart led by …

Will Thailand’s election winners have the chance to lead?
1 year, 6 months ago

Will Thailand’s election winners have the chance to lead?

Al Jazeera  

More than two weeks ago, Thailand held its elections and there was a clear winner. Thailand’s Phak Kao Klai came through with three times the votes of the leading government party. The people of Thailand, led by the youth, came out in a move against the country’s military, monarchy, and ruling elite. But to truly claim victory and power, Move …

Explained | Does the 2023 Thailand election result mark the start of a new era? Who will form the government?
1 year, 6 months ago

Explained | Does the 2023 Thailand election result mark the start of a new era? Who will form the government?

The Hindu  

The story so far: It has been over two weeks since Thailand’s progressive Move Forward Party and populist Pheu Thai Party claimed victory in an election that gave a thumbs-down to military-backed parties which ruled on and off for a decade. MFP’s main ally Pheu Thai, the populist party led by the billionaire family of the self-exiled former Premier Thaksin …

Thailand’s Move Forward Party, allies agree on coalition platform
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand’s Move Forward Party, allies agree on coalition platform

Al Jazeera  

Thailand’s progressive Move Forward Party has signed a coalition agreement with seven other parties, promising to draft a new constitution, end monopolies and allow same-sex marriage if they are allowed to form a government, but the deal made no mention of a controversial proposal to revise royal insult laws. Move Forward, along with Pheu Thai, a populist party linked to …

Thailand election: Will military elite let opposition take power?
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand election: Will military elite let opposition take power?

Al Jazeera  

Move Forward Party wins election, but a military-appointed Senate and the ambitions of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may yet thwart its bid to govern. And according to the Constitution, there’s no time limit.” Pheu Thai’s ‘other options’ In the event of a deadlock, Pheu Thai may take the lead in trying to form a government — without Move Forward. Move …

Projected winner of Thailand’s election says he will ‘demilitarize’ country
1 year, 7 months ago

Projected winner of Thailand’s election says he will ‘demilitarize’ country

CNN  

Bangkok, Thailand CNN — The unofficial winner of Thailand’s election has told CNN he will work to “demilitarize” the country, in his first one-on-one interview since Sunday’s poll. “It’s pretty clear that people have demanded change here in Thailand… it’s very clear that the sentiment of the era has changed and we have developed a consensus for a new day …

Thailand’s opposition parties, after stunning election win, set plans to enlist allies to take power
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand’s opposition parties, after stunning election win, set plans to enlist allies to take power

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Following a stunning election victory in which they together captured a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, Thailand’s top two opposition parties began planning Monday for the next stage in their bid to replace the military-dominated government. Pheu Thai stumbled despite the star power of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former populist prime minister …

Thailand election results see opposition surge ahead of junta in victory for democracy
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand election results see opposition surge ahead of junta in victory for democracy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thailand’s opposition Move Forward party …

Thailand’s opposition won a landslide in elections. But will the military elite let them rule?
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand’s opposition won a landslide in elections. But will the military elite let them rule?

CNN  

CNN — Thai voters delivered a powerful message to the country’s military-backed government on Sunday: you do not have the will of the people to rule. Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, attends a press conference following the general election, at the party's headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 15. “But you can’t rule that out.” …

Thailand Election: Countdown begins for junta power as Opposition parties secure majority I What's next?
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand Election: Countdown begins for junta power as Opposition parties secure majority I What's next?

India TV News  

Thailand's opposition racked up a stunning majority of the 500 seats at stake in the race for the House of Representatives, dealing a major blow to the establishment parties and the former general who has led the Southeast Asian country since seizing power in a 2014 coup. The party of incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army general who …

Thailand elections: Opposition crushes military-backed conservative party fulfilling voters’ hopes of change
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand elections: Opposition crushes military-backed conservative party fulfilling voters’ hopes of change

India TV News  

Many voters in Thailand breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday after the country's main opposition parties emerged victorious in the general election. With 99% of the votes counted by early Monday morning, the junior opposition Move Forward Party had eked out a small edge over the favored Pheu Thai Party, whose leaders earlier in the night conceded they might …

Thailand's opposition wins big election victory, challenging army-backed conservative establishment
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand's opposition wins big election victory, challenging army-backed conservative establishment

The Hindu  

Thailand’s main opposition parties easily bested other contenders with virtually all the votes counted from Sunday’s general election, fulfilling many voters’ hopes that the balloting would serve as a pivotal chance for change nine years after incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha first came to power in a 2014 coup. With 99% of the votes counted by early Monday morning, the …

Thailand election results: Opposition trounces military parties
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand election results: Opposition trounces military parties

Al Jazeera  

Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s reformist opposition has won the most seats and the largest share of the popular vote in a general election after voters roundly rejected the military-backed parties that have ruled the Southeast Asian country for nearly a decade. Analysts described the outcome for MFP as “outstanding” as pre-election surveys had predicted that it would be Pheu Thai, …

What you need to know about Thailand’s general election
1 year, 7 months ago

What you need to know about Thailand’s general election

Al Jazeera  

Voters are expected to deliver a strong mandate for change, but the royalist-military establishment may seek to cling to power. Bangkok, Thailand — Voters in Thailand are heading to the polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament in what analysts have called the country’s “most pivotal election to date”. At Pheu Thai’s final rally outside the Thai capital, Bangkok, …

Thailand’s election may deliver mandate for change, but opposition victory may not assure power
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand’s election may deliver mandate for change, but opposition victory may not assure power

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Voters disaffected by nine years of plodding rule by a coup-making army general are expected to deliver a strong mandate for change in Thailand’s general election Sunday. Prayuth’s 2014 coup unseated a government that had come to power with Yingluck Shinawatra — Paetongtarn’s aunt, Thaksin’s sister — as prime minister. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, …

In Thailand’s north, opposition vies for votes in skewed system
1 year, 7 months ago

In Thailand’s north, opposition vies for votes in skewed system

Al Jazeera  

Pheu Thai and MFP should be natural allies but an electoral system that gives the military outsized influence forces them into a ferocious fight for seats. Sebastian Strangio, author of In the Dragon’s Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century, said MFP and Pheu Thai “will certainly cannibalise each other’s votes to some extent” but should also be “natural partners”. …

‘Time for a new way’: Thais look for change as election nears
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Time for a new way’: Thais look for change as election nears

Al Jazeera  

Analysts warn failure to honour the outcome could leave the country weak, divided and at risk of crisis. Jariyanukoon, who is going to cast the second vote of her life, said she would not vote for PTP because “it’s time to have new people, new parties, and a new way of conducting politics,” adding that “the old style no longer …

Thailand’s opposition party unveils policies and candidates
1 year, 9 months ago

Thailand’s opposition party unveils policies and candidates

Associated Press  

PATHUM THANI, Thailand — Thailand’s main opposition party on Friday paraded its slate of parliamentary candidates and outlined its policy pledges in a well-choreographed show of confidence ahead of the approaching general election. Several thousand supporters clad in red cheered and waved banners as the 400 candidates of the Pheu Thai party marched behind flag-bearers into an indoor university stadium …

Thailand's opposition party unveils policies and candidates
1 year, 9 months ago

Thailand's opposition party unveils policies and candidates

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thailand’s main opposition party on Friday paraded its slate of …

Discover Related