BANGKOK – Thailand’s opposition parties – the Move Forward Party and the Pheu Thai Party – are neck and neck in the contest for the country’s 400 directly elected constituency seats.
As of 11.30 local time last night (10.30pm Malaysia time yesterday), 55% of votes had been counted, and Pheu Thai and Move Forward were leading in a preliminary count.
According to the Thai Election Commission’s website, Pheu Thai – linked to self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – won 113 seats while Move Forward, which is popular among young voters, won 112 seats.
The Bhumjaithai Party, led by deputy prime minister and public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, won 64 seats.
The United Thai Nation Party, which named Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime minister candidate, won 24 seats.
Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Move Forward, told reporters that he is “very happy” with the preliminary results, and that his party and Pheu Thai should be able to form a government.
Meanwhile, Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, said the party with the most seats should initiate the coalition. – Bernama, May 15, 2023
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