Thailand’s two main opposition parties agreed on Monday to form a ruling coalition after they trounced in a weekend election military-backed rivals that have controlled government for nearly a decade.
The opposition Move Forward Party outperformed even optimistic projections and captured almost all 33 house seats in the capital Bangkok.
Along with the Pheu Thai Party, another opposition group, Move Forward campaigned for reform of the military and the monarchy. Move Forward put those issues closer to the heart of its platform, earning a more radical reputation. Its outspoken support for minor reforms of the monarchy, while winning younger voters, antagonised conservatives committed to the royal institution.
Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who came to power in a 2014 coup, was blamed for a stuttering economy, pandemic response shortcomings and thwarting democratic reforms – a particular sore point with younger voters.
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Move Forward and Pheu Thai could face challenges in mustering enough support to vote in a prime minister. Their alliance would need to ensure its efforts to form a new government would not be stymied by a junta-appointed Senate, which gets to vote on a prime minister in a bicameral sitting of the 750-member legislature, and has a record of favouring conservative parties led by generals.
Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward’s 42-year-old leader, has proposed an alliance of six parties that would command 309 seats. That would be short of the 376 seats needed to ensure he was elected as prime minister.
Asked about the Senate, he said all sides must respect the election outcome. “I am not worried but I am not careless,” he told a press conference. “It will be quite a hefty price to pay if someone is thinking about debunking the election result or forming a minority government.”
Pheu Thai, controlled by the billionaire Shinawatra family, said it agreed with Mr Pita’s proposal and wished him luck in efforts to become prime minister. The party had won most seats in every election this century, including twice in landslides, but met its match against Move Forward as it came close to a sweep of the capital Bangkok and made gains in rivals’ strongholds.
“Pheu Thai has no plan to form any other government,” party leader Chonlanan Srikaew told a press conference.
Though the results appear to be a hammer blow for the military and its allies, with parliamentary rules on their side and some influential power-brokers behind them, they could determine the shape of a new government.
Move Forward was galvanised by a wave of excitement among the youth over its liberal agenda and promises of bold changes, including breaking up monopolies and reforming a law on insulting the monarchy.
On Monday, Mr Pita did a victory lap in Bangkok where thousands of supporters had gathered - some in the streets, others on rooftops - dressed in Move Forward’s signature orange colour and chanting “Prime Minister Pita”.
Student Pirag Phrasawang (22), said he was “overwhelmed and excited to see change finally come” to the country.
“My voice has been neglected for a long time. I’m glad that people finally woke up and responded to Move Forward’s policies.”
Mr Pita has said Move Forward would press ahead with its plan to amend strict laws against insulting the monarchy, which critics say have been used to stifle free speech.
The law punishes perceived insults by up to 15 years in prison, with hundreds of people facing charges, some of whom are in pre-trial detention. Thailand’s palace does not comment on the law or its use.
Mr Pita said parliament would be the right forum to seek amendments to the law.
“We will use the parliament to make sure that there is a comprehensive discussion with maturity, with transparency in how we should move forward in terms of the relationship between the monarchy and the masses,” he said. - AP/Reuters