Thailand's general election: Two opposition parties reach majority in the House of Representatives Political change depends on negotiations

In Thailand's general election held on the 14th, the counting of votes is almost complete, and two opposition parties, the progressive opposition party that advocates the exclusion of military influence, and the largest opposition party of former Prime Minister Thaksin's support, are expected to have a majority in the lower house together. However, whether there will be a change of government will be left to the coalition negotiations of each political party in the future.

Thailand's parliamentary elections held on the 14th focused on whether the military-influential government that has continued since the military coup nine years ago will continue or whether there will be a change of government.

According to Thai media, the progressive opposition party "Forward Party", which has attracted support from young people and others with a vote count of 9%, is expected to become the first party with 97 seats, defying most expectations.

In addition, the largest opposition party of former Prime Minister Thaksin, the Pheu Thai Party, received 151 seats, which was sluggish than previously expected, but the two opposition parties, the Progressive Party and the Pheu Thai Party, together are expected to have a majority in the lower house of parliament.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Prayuth's "Thai Unity National Construction Party," which led the coup, won only 1 seats, showing voters' criticism of the military's influential government.

However, the nomination of the prime minister, which will take place after the seats are confirmed, will include the 141 members of the House of Representatives who were elected this time, as well as 2 senators appointed under the military government, many of whom are expected to vote in favor of parties close to the military.

In addition, there are significant policy differences between the two opposition parties, which became the first and second parties, and the future coalition negotiations of each political party will be focused on whether there will be a change of government.

What is the Forward Party?

The opposition "Forward Party" has followed the trend of the "New Future Party", which was dissolved after the election, although it made a leap to become the third party despite being a new party, advocating breaking away from military government in the last general election (2019).

In this election, in addition to advocating the elimination of military influence, I have called for the abolition of conscription and the amendment of lèse-majesté that prohibits slander against the royal family.

Aiming to break away from existing politics, the party rapidly expanded its support, especially among young people, at the end of the election campaign, and in opinion polls, it had the second highest approval rating after the largest opposition party, the Pheu Thai Party.

In addition, Mr. Pita, the leader of the party, was in first place in the most recent opinion poll when asked who would be the right person to be the next prime minister, overtaking Mr. Petong Tan of the Pheu Thai Party.

What is the Pheu Thai Party?

The Pheu Thai Party is the largest opposition party in the faction of former Prime Minister Thaksin.

A landslide victory in the 2011 general election sparked anti-government protests as they sought to pass an amnesty bill that would pave the way for Thaksin, who is living in virtual exile abroad, to return home.

When the political confrontation that divided the pro-Thaksin and anti-Thaksin countries reignited, and the confusion deepened, such as Yingluck losing his job as prime minister in May 2014 due to a ruling of the Constitutional Court, a military coup d'état led by Prime Minister Prayuth, who was the commander of the army at the time, occurred to resolve the situation, and the Pheu Thai Party lost its position as the ruling party.

In the last general election held in 5, the Pheu Thai Party became the first party, but the "Nation State Power Party", which aims to continue the military-led political system, became the second party, so in the end, a coalition government centered on the "Nation State Power Party" was born, and the Pheu Thai Party became the opposition party.

In this general election, three candidates, including Mr. Thaksin's second daughter, Mr. Peh Thongtan, were the party's prime ministerial candidates, aiming to regain power, mainly appealing for economic recovery, aiming for a landslide victory.