Facts: Parties in the Thai parliamentary election
Phak Ruam Thai Sang Chart (“United Nation”). Newly formed party. Led by Prime Minister 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.
Limjaroenrat also announces that he is in dialogue with five parties to form the country’s new government, according to AFP. Among other things, the Pheu Thai (“For Thais”) party, which is also in opposition to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been invited to join a coalition government, according to Pita Limjaroenrat.
“I am Pita Limjaroenrat, Thailand’s next prime minister. We are ready to form a new government,” said the party leader in a statement on Monday morning.
Limjaroenrat also promises to be a “prime minister for all”.
Want to see democratic reforms
Phak Kao Klai (“New Future”) has been popular during the election campaign, especially among young voters who want to see democratic reforms in Thailand. It is also the only party that wants to reform the much-talked-about legislation that states that criticism of the monarchy can lead to long prison sentences.
However, who will rule Thailand in the future will not be determined solely by Sunday’s results – the prime minister will only be elected in July in a joint session of the country’s parliament and senate, according to AP.
This means that the opposition parties may encounter patrols as the 250 members of the Senate have been appointed by the military junta.
First election since protests
Sunday’s election was the first since mass protests led by young Thais in 2020 shocked the establishment with demands for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s resignation and reduced power to the royal house. Since then, massive protests have been held regularly, especially in the capital, Bangkok.
About 52 million Thais voted in the Thai parliamentary election.