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 has surged ahead in the results from Sunday’s election, with the main military-backed party trailing far behind in fifth place. Move Forward was set to take 151 of parliament’s 500 seats, ahead of major opposition party Pheu Thai on 141 seats. In a tweet, Mr Limjaroenrat said: “My dear people, I, Pita Limjaroenrat, am ready to become Thailand’s 30th prime minister. I will serve you.” Mr Limjaroenrat said he had contacted five other parties with a view to forming a coalition government, and that collectively they commanded 309 seats based on Sunday’s preliminary results.

Party Seats Thai Thailand Forward Pheu Thai Move Forward Pheu Limjaroenrat Mr Prayuth  junta  saying  results  election  ahead  sign  pheu  surge  party  seats  thai  forward  prime  thailand  democracy  victory  opposition  limjaroenrat

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 …

Thailand’s reformist Move Forward Party, dissolved by court order, regroups as People’s Party
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Thailand’s reformist Move Forward Party, dissolved by court order, regroups as People’s Party

The Hindu  

Just two days after being disbanded by court order, Thailand’s main progressive political party regrouped Friday under a new name and vowed to continue its fight for reforms despite continuing opposition from the conservative establishment that blocked the party from taking power despite finishing first in last year’s election. Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday unanimously ruled that the Move Forward …

Thailand’s reformist Move Forward Party, dissolved by court order, regroups as People’s Party
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Thailand’s reformist Move Forward Party, dissolved by court order, regroups as People’s Party

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Just two days after being disbanded by court order, Thailand’s main progressive political party regrouped Friday under a new name and vowed to continue its fight for reforms despite continuing opposition from the conservative establishment that blocked the party from taking power despite finishing first in last year’s election. Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday unanimously ruled that the …

Thailand court dissolves progressive Move Forward Party, which won election but failed to take power
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Thailand court dissolves progressive Move Forward Party, which won election but failed to take power

The Hindu  

A court in Thailand on August 7 ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party, which finished first in last year's general election, saying it violated the constitution by proposing an amendment of a law against defaming the country’s royal family. The Election Commission had filed a petition against the Move Forward Party after the Constitutional Court ruled in …

Thai court dissolves progressive Move Forward Party, which won election but was blocked from power
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Thai court dissolves progressive Move Forward Party, which won election but was blocked from power

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — A court in Thailand on Wednesday ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party, which finished first in last year’s general election, saying it violated the constitution by proposing an amendment of a law against defaming the country’s royal family. The Move Forward Party was unable to form a government after topping the polls because members of …

Thai court dissolves progressive Move Forward Party
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Thai court dissolves progressive Move Forward Party

ABC  

Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled to dissolve the opposition Move Forward Party, over its campaign to amend a royal insults law that protects the monarchy from criticism. "The Constitutional Court's decision also jeopardises Thailand's democratic progress and runs counter to the aspirations of the Thai people for a strong, democratic future," spokesperson Matthew Miller said. "Because one of the biggest …

‘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 opposition Move Forward party to pick new leader as its embattled chief steps down
1 year, 3 months ago

Thailand’s opposition Move Forward party to pick new leader as its embattled chief steps down

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — The embattled head of the Move Forward party, which finished first in Thailand’s general election in May but was denied power by Parliament, announced his resignation on Friday as its chief so the party can appoint a new member to serve as Parliament’s opposition leader. Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward’s 43-year-old leader, is currently suspended from his duties as …

Thailand's new Prime Minister tells Parliament his government will urgently tackle economic woes
1 year, 3 months ago

Thailand's new Prime Minister tells Parliament his government will urgently tackle economic woes

The Hindu  

Thailand’s new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to act quickly to relieve the country's economic problems in his inaugural speech to Parliament on September 11, following four months of political uncertainty while parliamentarians were unable to agree on a government. Long-term goals cited by Mr. Srettha include boosting international trade, supporting start-up businesses, investing more in transport infrastructure, improving agricultural …

Thailand’s king approves a new Cabinet more than 3 months after elections
1 year, 3 months ago

Thailand’s king approves a new Cabinet more than 3 months after elections

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Thailand’s king has formally endorsed members of a new Cabinet, paving the way for a government headed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to take office more than three months after the general election. Srettha, representing the Pheu Thai party, was named prime minister by Parliament on Aug. 22. The Pheu Thai Party, which placed second in the election, …

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 court rejects election winners' challenge to derailed PM bid
1 year, 4 months ago

Thailand court rejects election winners' challenge to derailed PM bid

The Hindu  

Thailand's Constitutional Court on August 16 rejected a request from the election winning Move Forward Party to review a parliamentary decision that blocked its Prime Ministerial candidate from being re-nominated. Thailand has been under a caretaker government for five months and its biggest parties in parliament have been unable to form a government after Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the anti-establishment …

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, …

Selection of Thailand’s new prime minister delayed again, to await court decision on election winner
1 year, 4 months ago

Selection of Thailand’s new prime minister delayed again, to await court decision on election winner

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — A parliamentary vote to select Thailand’s new prime minister expected on Friday was delayed again after a court put off a decision in a case involving the progressive party that won May’s election, adding to growing uncertainty about when a new government can take office. The Constitutional Court on Thursday said it needs more time to deliberate on …

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 …

Thailand’s Election Commission says a reformist candidate for prime minister may have broken the law
1 year, 5 months ago

Thailand’s Election Commission says a reformist candidate for prime minister may have broken the law

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Election Commission said Wednesday there is evidence that the top candidate to become the next prime minister — a reformist with strong backing among progressive young voters — violated election law and referred his case to the Constitutional Court. The commission’s decision included a request that the court order Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to be …

Thailand PM retires from politics, 9 years following his coup
1 year, 5 months ago

Thailand PM retires from politics, 9 years following his coup

Hindustan Times  

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on Tuesday his retirement from politics, nine years after he took power in a military coup, and promised to stay in charge only temporarily. Thailand's incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha His announcement was widely expected after his military-backed United Thai Nation party was thumped in a May 14 election, in which it won just …

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 …

Why Did Thailand’s Move Forward Party Win Big in Phuket?
1 year, 6 months ago

Why Did Thailand’s Move Forward Party Win Big in Phuket?

The Diplomat  

The ultra-progressive Move Forward Party defied expectations by sweeping the popular vote in Thailand’s 2023 general election last month, even beating the populist Pheu Thai Party, which was projected to win the most votes, albeit by a slight margin. The PTP, despite constantly voicing support for Pita’s premiership and denying “secret deals” with the conservative wing, could reverse its stance …

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 …

Leader of Thai opposition party that won election announces 8-party coalition plan to take power
1 year, 7 months ago

Leader of Thai opposition party that won election announces 8-party coalition plan to take power

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 The leader of the progressive opposition party that won a …

Thailand's Move Forward Party confident of more support to form government
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand's Move Forward Party confident of more support to form government

The Hindu  

The leader of the progressive Move Forward Party that secured a stunning victory in Thailand's election this week said on May 18 he was confident of building more support and being able form a stable and balanced government. Speaking at a press conference as part of an alliance of eight parties with about 313 of the 500 lower house seats, …

New Thai government ‘firmly taking shape’, potential PM says
1 year, 7 months ago

New Thai government ‘firmly taking shape’, potential PM says

Al Jazeera  

Seven parties agree to form a government with Pita Limjaroenrat’s Move Forward Party and make him prime minister. Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said at a news conference on Thursday that the proposed coalition would have 313 seats in the House of Representatives, a solid majority of its 500 members. Move Forward’s progressive agenda resonated with a public weary …

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: 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 …

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 votes today: Can it break the monarchy's grip on power?
1 year, 7 months ago

Thailand votes today: Can it break the monarchy's grip on power?

Firstpost  

When Thais go to the polls on 14 May, they will be voting in a closely fought election that is seen, in part, as a referendum on whether it is illegal to criticise the Thai monarchy. “Perhaps one of the deepest fault lines in Thai society is about the monarchy,” said Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher on Thailand for Human …

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, …

Opposition favored to top Sunday's Thai election, but faces hurdles in taking power
1 year, 7 months ago

Opposition favored to top Sunday's Thai election, but faces hurdles in taking power

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 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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Voters …

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 political hopefuls register for May election
1 year, 8 months ago

Thailand's political hopefuls register for May election

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 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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hundreds …

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