Thailand sees new coalition government after elections
Thailand’s General Election sees the Pheu Thai party and the Thai Forward Movement leading the election with both expected to elect 113 deputies and form a coalition government. In unofficial results, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai party and the Thai Forward Movement party, led by businessman Pita Limjaroenrat, are leading the way after 75 percent of the votes have been counted. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome and welcomed the prospect of a new 500-member parliament.
However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s future remains uncertain. The 69-year-old former junta leader and current prime minister, who came to power in Thailand with a military coup in 2014, decided to join the United Thai People’s Party (UTN), which he is a new member of. Prayut came to a party building to follow the elections during the day, but then left the building later in the evening without waiting for the election results to be completed. Although he did not answer questions from journalists as he left the building, a party founder later confirmed that they respect all results, and Prayut Chan-o-cha will remain in the party even if they lose the election.
The General Election in Thailand is seen as a crucial step in the country’s political transition, which will lead to the formation of a new parliamentary government. The election is divided between pro-military and anti-military parties that will determine how democratic rights will be pursued in the future. The formation of a coalition government with the Pheu Thai party and the Thai Forward Movement as leading parties is seen as a potential turning point for the country, which has been undergoing political upheaval for years. The election results, which will be official after all votes are counted, are expected to be announced later this week.
