Thailand general election: Counting continues, opposition party likely to win

Bangkok. Votes are being counted on Sunday after votes are cast in Thailand’s general election, seen as a key chance for change nine years after a 2014 coup brought incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to power. Prayuth is contesting against the daughter of a politician who is a staunch opponent of the military. Prayuth is running against billionaire businessman and daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Petongtarn Shinawatra. Shinawatra was the country’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006. Thaksin was ousted from power in a 2006 military coup. His relative Yingluck Shinawatra became prime minister in 2011, but was ousted in a coup led by Prayut.

Polling ended at 5 p.m. local time and initial trends are expected a few hours later, while a clear picture of the election results will be clear late Sunday night. The opposition Pheu Thai Party, led by Paitangtarn, is expected to win the most seats in the 500-member lower house of parliament. After casting his vote, Patongtaran said that every vote is important for effecting change in Thailand and he has high hopes for the final outcome. However, who will lead the next government will not be decided by Sunday’s vote alone. The prime minister will be selected at a joint meeting of the lower house and the 250-member Senate in July.

The winner would need to garner at least 376 votes and no party is likely to do so on its own. The Phayu Thai Party won the most seats in the 2019 election, but its arch-rival and military-backed Palang Pracharat Party forged an alliance with Prayut. Prayut is seeking re-election. However, this time the support of the army is divided between the two parties. Prayuth is supported by the United Thai Nation party and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, a former general. Pravit is the top leadership of the Palang Pracharat party.

Prime Minister Prayut is accused of a faltering economy, shortcomings in his handling of the pandemic, and thwarting democratic reforms. “The increase in youth voter turnout and general awareness of the damage caused by military rule could be key factors in determining the outcome of this election,” said Tyrell Haberkorn, an expert in Thai studies at the University of Wisconsin. After nine years of military rule, the people are ready for a change.

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