Thai opposition party takes lead in election

Thailand's opposition Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai Party are taking turns winning the most seats in the House of Representatives after the election.

According to preliminary data compiled by the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) in the early morning of May 15, the Move Forward Party and the Pheu Thai Party won 113 and 112 seats, respectively, out of 400 seats up for re-election in the House of Representatives.

The United Thai Nation Party of incumbent Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, meanwhile, won only 23 seats. The number of seats in the Thai House of Representatives is 500, with the remaining 100 seats allocated to parties on a proportional basis.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat in Bangkok on May 14. Photo: Reuters

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, said the election results were impressive and pledged to stay true to the values ​​his party had set out if it formed a government. Mr Limjaroenrat added that he was open to a coalition with Pheu Thai, but still aimed to become prime minister.

One of the three Pheu Thai representatives, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former prime minister Thaksin, said she was happy with the Move Forward party's proposal, but it was too early to discuss coalitions.

"The people's voice is the most important," said Ms. Paetongtarn, 36.

The results of the total number of seats in Thailand's lower house are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. However, winning a majority of seats in the lower house does not mean becoming Thailand's leader.

The Thai prime minister will be chosen in July at a joint session of the 500 members of the lower house and 250 senators. Thai senators are appointed by the military government.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP/Reuters )

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