BANGKOK – Thailand’s two major opposition parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai dominated yesterday’s election, securing most of the 400 directly elected constituency seats, and are set for coalition talks.
With 99% of the vote counted, the youth-driven pro-democracy Move Forward came top, winning 113 seats, while Pheu Thai – linked to self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – won 111 seats, according to the Thai Election Commission’s website.
The Bhumjaithai Party, led by deputy prime minister and public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, surprisingly came third by securing 68 seats.
The Palang Pracharat Party – the main party of the outgoing ruling coalition and led by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan – won 39 seats while the United Thai Nation Party, which nominated Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to continue leading the country, secured 23 seats to come in fifth. The Democrat Party led by Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit won 22 seats.
Some 39 million or 75.14% of the 52 million eligible voters yesterday exercised their right to elect the 500-seat House of Representatives – 400 seats for winning constituency candidates and 100 party seats allocated through proportional representation.
With 99% of votes counted, a calculation by Reuters based on Election Commission data suggested Move Forward would win 38 party-list seats, Pheu Thai would take 29, Bhumjaithai would clinch three, Palang Pracharat would win two, United Thai Nation would end up with 13, and Democrat would have three.
However, the two opposition parties – Move Forward and Pheu Thai face hurdles in forming a new government due to the constitution written by the military after a 2014 coup.
Under the constitution, 250 junta-appointed senators have a say in the selection of the prime minister and formation of a government. The senators have never voted in favour of the opposition. To become prime minister, a candidate must secure at least 376 out of the total 750 votes in the twin-chamber Parliament.
The election results would intensify political deal-making among the different parties attempting to form a new government.
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat said it is clear that the party has earned immense support from the people around the country and is a crucial party in the formation of the new government.
In a tweet, Pita said “I will be your prime minister, whether you vote for me or not, I will serve you.”
He said the party would talk to Pheu Thai on a coalition deal and remains opposed to military-backed parties.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra congratulated Move Forward’s success, saying she was “happy for them”.
“We are ready to talk to Move Forward Party,” she said adding that the party with the most votes will lead the coalition.
The election is the first to take place since the nation’s youth-led mass protests in 2020 and only the second since the military coup in 2014 that witnessed the removal of an elected government. – Bernama, May 15, 2023
