Thai opposition take on kingdom’s conservative cliques as voting begins

(CNN) — As millions of Thais turn out to vote in general elections on Sunday, the opposition hopes to ride a wave of dissatisfaction with the military’s stranglehold on power levers and economic management.

The elections are the first since a large youth-led pro-democracy movement took place in 2020 and followed decades of upheaval in Saudi Arabia following the 2014 military coup that overthrew the elected government. It will be the second time since the conservative faction that has driven the politics of the country has been revived.

Voting will begin at 8:00 am Bangkok time (9:00 pm Saturday Eastern time), with election officials expecting a high turnout.

In this year’s election, about 52 million voters will elect 500 members of the House of Representatives in Thailand’s bicameral system. That was changed substantially through a new constitution drafted by the military that took power nine years ago.

Each voter has two ballots, one for local constituency representatives and one for selecting candidates for national political parties, known as party list members.

The junta-era constitution gives the establishment-dominated Senate a big say in who ultimately forms the government, so the opposition must win by a wide margin.

At the forefront is Thailand’s younger generation, hungry for change and eager to tackle subjects as taboo as the role of the military and, to some, reforming the monarchy.

“I want to see Thailand move forward,” first-time voter Nichapa Youthpradav, 21, told CNN after voting in the capital Bangkok.

She added that she is monitoring the election closely and is looking forward to the outcome.

Photos taken in various parts of Bangkok showed people queuing outside to vote despite the increasing heat.

“I want to see Thailand develop in a positive direction, I want to see good people in power, I want to see corrupt people in power,” said Suratya Suwanwihok, 59. No,’ he said.

The country’s powerful conservative ruling class relies on its own influential voter base supporting parties associated with the military, the monarchy and the ruling elite, many of which are in Bangkok.

Opposing them is a more progressive, populist-leaning opposition campaigning for democratic reform, attracting more urban and rural working-class voters and a new generation of politically awakened young people. It has a history of fascination.

Leading the polls is the opposition Pheu Thai Party, which has fielded three candidates for prime minister and has launched a populist agenda that includes raising the minimum wage, increasing welfare benefits and stopping the military from interfering in politics. Election campaigns are carried out according to the program.

It is the political party of the billionaire Shinawatra family, a controversial political dynasty led by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

A former police officer-turned-billionaire telecoms mogul Thaksin and his sister Yingluck ran the government, which was overthrown in a military coup. Both are in exile, and a Thai court sentenced them to prison terms in absentia on corruption charges.

Thaksin’s youngest daughter, 36-year-old Petongtarn, is running for prime minister.

Petontern, who entered politics only three years ago, describes himself as: where one is from be A new generation connecting with young people in Thailand. She attended rallies regularly during her pregnancy, and after giving birth she returned to campaigning.

The party, which is hugely popular among the rural and urban working classes, is aiming for a landslide victory. Since 2001, Thai elections have been won by pro-Thaksin parties.

“I think people need change of course. People will go out regardless of the weather. They are being excluded and they want to exercise their rights,” said Peton Tarn in Sunday’s vote. later told reporters. “Everyone should be aware of this and I think it’s very important to them.”

The Pheu Thai Party candidate also includes 59-year-old real estate tycoon Sureta Thavishin, who wants to revitalize the sluggish economy while also focusing on correcting income disparities, promoting LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage, and combating corruption. thinking.

In an interview with CNN after the vote, Suretta urged “as many Thais as possible to exercise their rights and go vote.”

He added that he would watch the tally process at the party’s headquarters in Bangkok later that day.

Another opposition force at work is the Forward Party, which is hugely popular among Thai youth for its radical reform agenda.

Analysts are calling the country a “game changer.” The country’s candidates are calling for fundamental structural reforms to the way Thailand operates, including military reforms and a strict lese majeste law banning criticism of the royal family. That role comes with risks.

Heading the party is Pita Rimcharoenrat, 42, a Harvard graduate with a business background. His eloquent campaign speeches and reform program have won him tremendous support, and he is one of the top candidates for prime minister in opinion polls.

Incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Prayut is eyeing the top spot, and this time a new political party, the United People of Thailand, is running. The former army chief who masterminded the 2014 coup has now been in power for nine years.

Prayuth arrived at a polling station in Bangkok with his entourage on Sunday to cast his vote.

Prayuth lost the 2019 general election to Pheu Thai Party in the number of seats won, but after gathering enough support from his coalition parties to form a government, he became prime minister.

But despite his poor performance in the polls, analysts caution not to underestimate him given his ties to the country’s elite.

His rise from military coup leader to prime minister sparked controversy, increased authoritarianism and widened inequality.

Under his leadership, hundreds of activists were arrested under strict laws such as sedition and lese majeste.

The military government’s mismanagement in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and economy has also fueled calls for Prime Minister Prayuth to step down, a trend that has continued well into 2021.

During his tenure, he survived several no-confidence votes in Congress that sought to oust him from power.

If Prayuth is re-elected, he will only serve a two-year term, as the constitution limits his term to eight years.

Another candidate whose fortunes could rise in the post-election race is former army chief Prawit Wongsuwan, first deputy prime minister and Prayuth’s former brother-in-arms.

A political veteran, Prawit is now the leader of Prayut’s former party, Paran Pracharat.

Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party could also be influential in post-election deals. Health Minister Anutin has steered the country through the pandemic and was behind landmark legislation last year to decriminalize cannabis in the country.

Thailand’s electoral system favors conservatives, so the leader of the largest party does not necessarily lead Thailand, or even form a government.

Any party that wins 25 or more seats can nominate a candidate for prime minister. These candidates are put to the vote by the entire 750-seat bicameral parliament.

To become prime minister, a candidate must receive a majority of at least 375 votes in both chambers.

However, the Senate (250 seats) is likely to play a key role in determining Thailand’s next government, and as it is elected entirely by the military, it is likely to vote for pro-military parties.

This means that the opposition or coalition needs almost three times as many votes as the military party in the House of Representatives to elect its next leader.

Voting is expected to close at 5:00 pm Bangkok time (6:00 am Eastern time) and counting will begin shortly thereafter. Officials said early results could be expected by midnight in Bangkok, but it could be weeks or even months before Thailand has a new prime minister.