Outstanding election victory for pro-democracy opposition in Thailand

Thailand’s pro-democracy opposition won a resounding victory in general elections on Sunday. According to preliminary results, the winner of the vote is the progressive party Move Forward under its young boss Pita Limjaroenrat (42). After counting 99 percent of the votes, the party, founded in 2014, has a total of about 150 seats in the 500-strong parliament, according to the election commission.

Pheu Thai, also an opposition party, led by 36-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, took second place with probably about 140 seats. She is the scion of a wealthy political dynasty. Before the election, Peu Thai had long led the polls. The ruling army, which came to power in a coup in 2014, suffered heavy losses. Turnout was more than 75 percent, the highest ever.

Pita Limjaroenrat tweeted that he was ready to become Thailand’s next prime minister. His party advocates, among other things, for the abolition of conscription and reform of the monarchy. The Southeast Asian holiday destination probably has the strictest lese majeste law in the world. It provides for extremely long prison terms for lèse majesté. This has been protested for quite some time.

“Together we will change the country,” the party leader continued, adding that he wants to be the head of government for all Thais, whether they support his policies or not. However, observers say there is still a long and complicated road ahead.

While a coalition between the Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai is likely, both need the support of other parties to gain power. Because after the military coup, the generals changed the constitution in their favor: together with the 500 newly elected members of parliament, 250 unelected senators appointed by the army also decide on the head of government. It is considered unlikely that they will support the opposition.

And so incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha or another party close to the military could theoretically lead a minority government despite the failed election. The Bangkok Post newspaper noted, “While we hope the Senate honors the spirit of democracy by respecting the rule of majority decision, comments from some senators suggest stormy days ahead.” (oee/sda/dpa)