Election winners in Thailand want to introduce marriage for all

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Demonstration for diversity: Pride march in Bangkok in June 2022

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Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP

In Thailand, the coalition, which is about to form a government, has announced ambitious plans to amend the constitution, including allowing same-sex marriage and abolishing conscription. The alliance also seeks social and educational reform, a balanced foreign policy, reform of the judiciary and armed forces, and the adoption of laws that both control and advocate the use of drugs.

However, the controversial campaign proposals for a reform of the strict legislation against lèse majesté are not found in the declaration of intent signed on Monday by eight parties involved, which includes around two dozen projects.

"It is another historic moment that shows that we can peacefully transform the government into a democracy," said Pita Limjaroenrat, head of the Move Forward (MFP) party, which leads the coalition. He pointed out that the agreement was signed on the ninth anniversary of the military coup that brought incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha into office. The purpose of the memorandum of understanding is to collect the goals that the parties in government and parliament want to promote, Pita said.

Voters in Thailand had clearly rejected a military-backed government in the parliamentary elections in mid-May. MFP emerged as the clear winner of the vote, closely followed by the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), which is also in opposition.

250 senators appointed by the last military government

Pita again expressed confidence on Monday that he would be elected head of government. His coalition has 313 out of 500 seats in parliament. But Thailand's prime minister is elected not only by members of parliament, but also by 250 senators appointed by the last military government. Many have indicated that they do not want to vote for Pita because of his plans to change the legislation against lèse majesty.

These rules protect the Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family from criticism. According to critics, however, their main purpose is to silence opponents of the government or even put them in jail. Pita insists that his party does not want to back down from its election promise of a change in the law – but there is nothing about this in the declaration of intent presented on Monday.

Since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932, the Thai military has carried out 13 coups. The confrontation between the generals and civilian politicians and activists has been at the core of recurring instability over the years.

sol/AFP/Reuters