Facts: Parties to keep an eye on ahead of Thailand’s parliamentary elections
Phak Ruam Thai Sang Chart (“United Nation”). Newly formed party. Led by Prayut Chan-o-Cha.
Phak Phuea Thai (“For Thais”). Led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Phak Kao Klai (“New Future”). Led by Pita Limjaroenrat.
Phak Phalang Pracharat (“People’s State Power”). Led by Prawit Wongsuwan.
Incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha in March dissolved Thailand’s parliament and called elections – the second since he seized power in a military coup in 2014.
Over 52 million Thais are expected to vote in the election.
On Sunday, May 14, Thais go to the polls. The parliamentary election is seen by many as a battle between the royalist and military-backed government parties and the democratic and reform-friendly opposition.
The Shinawatra family, which for many years has played a prominent role in Thai politics, is represented this time by Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The 36-year-old leader of the opposition Pheu Thai party is partly British-educated and the daughter of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
It is also the third time a member of the powerful family has entered the fight for political power in Thailand.
First up was telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, who was twice elected as the country’s prime minister before being overthrown in a military coup in September 2006. Then followed his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, who managed to sit in the post from 2011 to 2014 before she was deposed by Thailand’s Constitutional Court.
Leads in the measurements
The latest opinion polls indicate that Pheu Thai has a tailwind among Thai voters. Paetongtar Shinawatra, who was heavily pregnant during large parts of the election campaign, also announced at a press conference in early May that she hopes to emerge victorious from the election battle, writes The Guardian.
Prutthasin Sooksawas, nicknamed Thasin, is showcased by Paetongtarn Shinawatra and husband Pidok Sooksawas.
“We want a landslide victory so that Pheu Thai can form a government and realize our promises to the people,” she said.
During the event, which was held just days after the birth, the newborn son was also displayed for the media gathering.
Criticize the royal family?
In the parliamentary election, Paetongtarn Shinawatra is pitted against incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who took power in a military coup in 2014.
Prayut Chan-O-Cha announced in January that he would stand in the election for the newly formed Phak Ruam Thai Sang Chart – instead of the ruling Palang Pracharath party.
Phak Kao Klai is another main force in the election. The party, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, is popular among young voters who want to see democratic reforms. It is also the only one that wants to reform the much-talked-about legislation that makes criticism of the monarchy punishable by long prison terms.
Former general Prawit Wongsuwan, who until recently was one of Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s allies, is also running in the election for the Palang Pracharath party.
Controversial family
The fact that another member of the Shinawatra family is running in a parliamentary election risks angering many conservative voters, according to Prajak Kongkirati, a political scientist at Thammasat University in Bangkok.
“Many people love them, but many conservatives also oppose Thaksin and his family,” he says.
Just days before the election, a Twitter post by Thaksin Shinawatra, who went into exile in 2008 after being ousted as prime minister, has also raised the temperature in the election campaign.
“I have decided to go home in July to take care of my grandchildren. I ask for your forgiveness. I have not seen my family for almost 17 years and I am old,” the ousted prime minister tweeted.
For her part, Paetongtarn Shinawatra claims that, despite her political heritage, she stands on her own two feet.
“I am and always will be my father’s daughter – but I make my own decisions,” said the party leader recently during an election meeting.