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Polling stations opened in Thailand on Sunday for an election that pits a youthful pro-democracy party against rivals that are offering a mix of nationalism and populist policies.
The People’s party, which is pledging structural changes to Thailand’s political and economic system, has led opinion polls before Sunday’s vote, fuelled by support from younger voters. However, the party, led by 38-year-old former software engineer Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, is not expected to secure an outright majority, and may struggle to build a coalition. Its candidates are also facing a looming legal battle.
The party’s predecessor, Move Forward, which won the most votes and seats in the 2023 election, was blocked from power by its enemies in the powerful military royalist establishment, and dissolved by the constitutional court, which frequently intervenes in Thai politics, banning popular parties.
The People’s party is up against incumbent prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai, a staunch royalist who has sought to ride growing nationalism linked to Thailand’s conflict with Cambodia, as well as Pheu Thai, the populist party associated with now jailed former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
“We need a strong leader who can protect our sovereignty,” said Yuernyong Loonboot, 64, the first voter to cast his ballot at a polling station in Buriram, the home town of incumbent prime minister.
“Living here, the border conflict has made me anxious. War was never something we used to think about.”
The election is also taking place at a time when Thailand’s economy is struggling, with growth hampered by political instability. Over the past three years, the country has had three prime ministers, after two were ousted by court rulings.
Thailand has a tumultuous history marked by street protests and military coups, while the constitutional court and other powerful agencies have frequently interfered in politics, banning popular parties and their leaders.
Move Forward was banned in 2024 by the constitutional court, which said its promise to reform the draconian lese-majesty law, under which criticism of the monarchy can lead to up to 15 years in prison, violated the constitution. An earlier incarnation of the party, called Future Forward, was also banned by a court ruling, a decision that triggered months of protests.
The People’s party has been forced to drop its policy to amend the lese majesty law for legal reasons, but continues to promise other structural reforms including making the military more accountable, tackling big business monopolies that dominate the economy and rewriting a new constitution to make it more democratic. It has also promised to prioritise a fight against corruption.
Anutin has been prime minister since September, taking office after former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed for an ethics violation connected to her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia. He dissolved parliament in December to call a new election when he was threatened with a no-confidence vote, and just as conflict with Cambodia had re-erupted.
Anutin has sought to present himself as a strong leader who will protect Thailand’s territory, and is viewed as the preferred candidate of the military royalist establishment.
Pheu Thai, which is also competing in what is seen as a three-horse race, is promising populist policies, including giving nine people 1m Thai baht every day as part of a scheme to bring the informal economy into the tax system.
Sunday’s vote includes a referendum asking whether Thailand should redraft its 2017 constitution, which is a legacy of military rule.
No details of the proposed draft are given, with voters asked only to authorise parliament to begin a formal drafting, which will probably be a lengthy process. Pro-democracy groups believe the charter must be rewritten to make the country more democratic and to reduce the influence of unelected institutions such as the military and judiciary.
With Agence France-Presse
