Victory that shook Thai politics risks being overshadowed

Thailand's progressive Move Forward Party was confirmed by the Election Commission on May 15 as the winner of a general election held a day earlier, defeating the military-backed parties that have dominated the kingdom's politics for nearly a decade.

The spectacular breakthrough of the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the election on May 14 made it the largest party, winning 152 seats, including 113 directly elected seats and 39 seats according to the party list. Coming in second place was the Pheu Thai Party (For the Thai People) of the family of billionaire and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat said he would seek to form a six-party coalition that includes Pheu Thai, aiming to win 310 seats. “With this formula, it is clear that we have full rights to form a majority government ,” Pita told reporters at the MFP headquarters in Bangkok, introducing himself as “the next prime minister of Thailand.”

“We are ready to form a government,” he added, pledging to be “a Prime Minister for all”.

World - The victory that shook Thai politics is at risk of being overshadowed — MFP leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat at a press conference at the party's headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2023. Photo: EFE

Mr Pita said he had called Ms Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai's leading prime ministerial candidate, to congratulate her on her campaign and invite her to join the coalition.

“The atmosphere has changed. The time has come. People have been through enough,” Mr. Pita said in English. “Today is a new day. Hopefully it will be full of sunshine and hope.”

On May 15, the Pheu Thai Party held a press conference, confirming plans to cooperate with Move Forward.

Obstacles Ahead

Detailed negotiations have yet to officially begin. But in the meantime, Move Forward’s efforts to form a governing coalition could face a setback after several members of the Thai Senate said they would not support the party’s candidate for prime minister.

Under the Thai Constitution, 250 senators elected by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) are allowed to join the 500 elected lawmakers in the House of Representatives in choosing the prime minister.

They are likely to vote for a prime minister for the second time after the general election. In the 2019 election, they joined MPs in voting for General Prayut Chan-o-cha to become Thailand's prime minister.

For his part, after declaring victory, Mr. Pita also sent a message to the military-backed Senate on May 15: It is time for the 250 senators to think and decide their stance, whether they listen to the people's wishes or not. If they care about the people, there will be no problem, so that Move Forward can eventually form a majority government.

World - The victory that shook Thai politics is at risk of being overshadowed (Figure 2). — MFP supporters cheer as election results are announced at the party headquarters in Bangkok on May 14, 2023. The MFP seeks support from Gen Y and Gen Z voters, who make up nearly half of Thailand's 52 million electorate, but preliminary election results show the party making inroads across all demographic groups. Photo: Getty Images

“We will form a government as soon as possible, to ensure there is no political and economic vacuum. Move Forward will be very quick and precise,” Mr. Pita said.

Qualities required

However, Senator Jadet Insawang said that in his role, he had sworn to protect the constitutional monarchy.

“The MFP and Mr. Pita have said that they will abolish Section 112 of the Lèse-majesté Law, which will affect the monarchy. This is unacceptable,” Mr. Jadet said.

If the MFP wins the support of 376 lawmakers, or more than 50 percent of the 750 members of the Thai House of Representatives and Senate, the party could skip the Senate's vote for its prime minister candidate.

Conversely, if they win only 310 seats, Move Forward's victory that shook up Thai politics risks being overshadowed, and not enough for them to proceed to the next step.

“If Mr. Pita, the MFP's candidate for Prime Minister, is nominated for a vote in the National Assembly, he will not receive my vote,” the Senator declared.

Another senator, Kittisak Rattanawaraha, said the Senate would consider the qualities of any candidate nominated for prime minister. “One of those qualities is loyalty to the country, religion and the monarchy… Senators will make decisions in the best interests of the country,” he said .

Minh Duc (According to France24, Nikkei Asia, Bangkok Post)

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