Two parties challenging military rule were holding a substantial lead as Thais went to the polls in the most wide-open general election in a decade.
Liberal former tech expert Pita Limjaroenrat, 32, appeared to win the most seats in Sunday’s nationwide elections and is trying to form a coalition to become prime minister, possibly signaling the end of nearly a decade of military dominance of this longtime U.S. ally’s political system.
Thailand’s friendly diplomatic, commercial, and military balancing act between the U.S. and China is expected to remain unchanged no matter who wins the election. Also displaying some victories in early unofficial results is another possible prime minister and coalition partner, Anutin Charnvirakul, who leads the Bhum Jai Thai party – famous mostly for its strong position in favor of legalizing cannabis last year.
During the next few months, the elected House and junta-appointed Senate are expected to struggle to form a new government and name a prime minister. “The military continues to pose a threat to the realization of true democracy,” Pravit Rojanaphruk, a senior columnist at Khaosod English media, said Sunday.
If a civilian coalition emerges, it could become vulnerable to the Constitutional Court which previously dissolved political parties and banned political leaders for violating the charter, even in relatively minor, technical ways.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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