What you need to know about Thailand's election

[Gaybutton]

I posted this for information purposes only, so that you can understand how the election works and what to expect. Sorry, but I will NOT allow any opinion posts. Any such posts will be deleted. However, if you have additional factual information, feel free to post.

If you are not sure whether your post will be acceptable, please feel free to first send a copy of your proposed post to me in either a PM or Email and I will be happy to let you know.

Again sorry, but this board will not be involved further than that in the Thai election or its outcome. If you wish to post your opinions there are plenty of other boards and web sites where your opinions will be welcomed.
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What you need to know about Thailand's election

by Chayut Setboonsarng and Martin Petty, Reuters

May 10, 2023

Thailand holds an election on May 14 after nearly a decade of a government led or backed by its royalist military after a coup in 2014.

Below is a rundown of what to expect.

WHAT’S BEING DECIDED?

Roughly 52 million of Thailand’s 65 million population are eligible to cast votes for members of a new 500-seat house of representatives for the next four years.

Voters have two ballots, one for a local constituency representative and the other for their preferred party on a national level. There are 400 seats for winning constituency candidates and 100 party seats allocated on a proportional representation basis.
Article content

HOW WILL A LEADER BE CHOSEN?

Parties winning more than 25 seats can nominate their prime ministerial candidate, although it is likely parties will strike deals between them to back certain candidates.

Those candidates will be put to a vote, likely in August, of the bicameral legislature comprised of a newly elected 500-seat lower house and a 250-seat Senate comprised of members appointed by a military junta.

To become prime minister, the winning candidate must have the votes of more than half of the combined houses, or 375 members.

WHO ARE THE MAIN CONTENDERS?

The election will be the latest bout in a long-running battle between parties backed by a conservative establishment with connections to the military and key institutions, and a progressive, pro-business opposition with a track record of wooing working class voters and winning every election in the past two decades.

Pheu Thai, a party controlled by the billionaire Shinawatra family, has a big lead in opinion polls as it did in previous elections, followed by another opposition party, Move Forward, which is seeking to mobilize youth voters.

They will go up against two parties led by former army chiefs involved in coups, incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha of the newly formed United Thai Nation party, and his mentor Prawit Wongsuwan, of the ruling Palang Pracharat party.

Both parties draw backing from the urban middle classes and are regarded as representing the interests of Thailand’s nexus of old money aristocrats and military elites who have long influenced politics.

An important contender is Bhumjaithai, a regional heavyweight whose seats could be crucial in determining who forms a government. The party’s stature has grown with its successful push to make Thailand Asia’s first country to legalize the sale of cannabis.

WHEN WILL THE RESULTS BE KNOWN?

Voting ends at 5 p.m (1000 GMT) local time on Sunday and the election commission says unofficial results should be released that same evening. It aims to certify 95% of the votes or 475 of the 500 seats, within 60 days, or by July 13.

The commission and an alliance of media organizations are expected to provide updates on the vote count in the hours after polling stations close.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT?

It might be weeks, possibly several months, before Thailand gets an idea of what it’s next government will look like, depending on the outcome of the election.

An outright majority or even a landslide may not be enough to form a government and alliances with other parties will most likely be required.

Thailand’s constitution was re-drafted by the military in 2017 in what many experts say was an attempt to neuter the power of parties that win elections. It prescribed an appointed Senate, of which the majority of members have sided in votes with the ruling, military-backed parties.

https://financialpost.com/pmn/business- ... s-election

[Gaybutton]

The polls have now closed and the bars can reopen.

Apparently the voting went quite smoothly. No serious incidents have been reported. Now the vote counting has begun. When results are announced, I will post them.

[Jun]

Voting ends at 5 p.m (1000 GMT) local time on Sunday and the election commission says unofficial results should be released that same evening. It aims to certify 95% of the votes or 475 of the 500 seats, within 60 days, or by July 13.

60 days, for just 95% of the seats ? What are they playing at ?

With a similar size population, the UK counts overnight and if there's a majority, the new Prime Minister is installed the next day. The record for counting votes in a constituency is 48 minutes. Including transporting the paper ballot papers to the count.
Admittedly some of the rural constituencies take longer, but I would imagine we hit the 95% mark in under 12 hours.

[Gaybutton]

the UK counts overnight and if there's a majority, the new Prime Minister is installed the next day.

I don't see much point in comparing the way it works in Thailand to the way it works in the UK or anywhere else. Obviously Thailand is very different. In my opinion, if any voting system ought to be criticized, I'd criticize the USA's electoral college system for presidential elections, which was perfectly appropriate in the 1700s to mid 1800s. But now it defies logic. With modern technology there is no reason why presidential elections in the USA shouldn't be whoever gets the most popular votes wins the election. But I don't foresee any changes within what's left of my lifetime.

Ok, back to Thailand. Here's the latest. Please remember, if you wish to post on this topic, this board will NOT take sides and I will delete any posts that do so. Again, if you are not sure whether I will accept your post, please feel free to submit a copy of your proposed post to me in either a PM or Email and I will be happy to let you know.

My take on it is the military backed government is going to be out. There is no indication that there will be another coup. There is a significant possibility that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thanksin's daughter, might be the next Prime Minister. If that happens, the next three questions are:

1. Would she be essentially a puppet for Thaksin actually being the one who runs the show?
2. Would that open the possibility for Thaksin to be able to return to Thailand without having to go to prison?
3. Would that open the possibility for Yingluck to be able to return to Thailand without having to go to prison?

Also, the current Prime Minister, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, says he will support a peaceful transition of power, but he intends to remain in politics. He did not say in what capacity.

Along with everything else, it will be interesting to see if marijuana remains legal or goes back to being illegal.

Will sex workers be legalized?

And, of course, will there be any changes that apply significantly to farang?

My own prediction is either Pita Limjaroenrat or Paetongtarn will be the next Prime Minister.
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Pita: MFP, Pheu Thai can form government

Wissanu warns of deep split in society

by Aekarach Sattaburuth, Apinya Wipatayotin, Mongkol Bangprapa

May 15, 2023

The Pheu Thai Party is expected to form a coalition with the Move Forward Party (MFP) as unofficial election results showed they were neck and neck in a tight race.

The Election Commission (EC) began counting votes after the general election concluded at 5pm on Sunday.

As of 10.30pm, two parties from the previous opposition bloc -- Pheu Thai Party and the Move Forward Party -- were taking it in turns in leading both the constituency and party-list races while counting votes was still being conducted.

The votes were still being tallied, with unofficial results expected to be available around 11pm, according to the EC.

Srettha Thavisin, one of Pheu Thai's three prime ministerial candidates, said that unofficial results showed Pheu Thai was still in the lead, not the MFP.

"I am still confident Pheu Thai will win the election,'' Mr Srettha said, adding that he and Pita Limcharoenrat, the MFP leader, had not discussed the formation of a government over the phone yet.

"We will discuss the matter with our allies which share democratic ideologies first,'' Mr Srettha said.

Asked whether he was concerned about allegations of poll fraud, Mr Srettha said he was, and the party had sent officials to observe counts at polling stations.

Asked about the unofficial results that showed MFP had taken the lead in all 33 constituencies in Bangkok, Mr Srettha admitted he was disappointed and a bit surprised. Asked if he was upset that Pheu Thai may not win the election by a landslide as it had hoped, he said he was not.

Prasert Chantararuangthong, Pheu Thai party secretary-general, said the party will form a coalition government with parties from the previous opposition bloc.

He said while the counting was still ongoing, Pheu Thai would allow the party that won the most seats to form a government first.

Earlier, Mr Pita on Sunday confirmed that it could form a coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party and other parties from the previous opposition bloc. He confirmed he would not do a deal with the military-linked parties.

Speaking after learning the result of exit polls, Mr Pita said MFP and Pheu Thai could have enough House seats to form a government. "This is a positive sign. It's time for Thailand to change," he said.

Asked about coalition talks with Pheu Thai, Mr Pita said he expected the talks to start at 10-11pm on Sunday night. "A collaboration of the (former) opposition parties will deal with the challenges that the country faces. We will change Thailand together," the MFP leader said.

Mr Pita, 42, said the formation of the next government would be subject to a memorandum of understanding and there must be conditions.

He ruled out the possibility of forming the next government with the United Thai Nation Party of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Palang Pracharath Party of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

Mr Pita did not rule out possible coalition participation by the Bhumjaithai Party of Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that the incoming government is likely to face protests and resistance from its opponents.

He said while the economy will start to rebound and people's livelihoods will improve after the poll, protests and unrest are likely to resurface as society remains split along political and ideological grounds.

This will obstruct any effort to steer the country forward, the deputy prime minister said, adding that whichever party that will lead the government coalition must be prepared to deal with such resistance. "Risk factors remain [after the poll]," he said.

"Don't forget about the Yingluck Shinawatra government. It won an overwhelming number of House seats, but it later faced resistance and demonstrations," Mr Wissanu said. Asked whether the country will undergo big changes after the poll, Mr Wissanu said change always occurs after an election.

"Even if the same government returns to power after the poll, it must still change its policies, change its team, change the way it works," Mr Wissanu said. "Whoever forms the new government is unlikely to revert to the 'old ways'. They must learn from past mistakes and keep up with the changing circumstances," Mr Wissanu said.

Navy commander Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said he hoped the post-election processes will go smoothly without any unrest. "Everyone wants to see democracy work and have a new government to lead the country to prosperity," he said.

National police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas on Sunday said more than 150,000 police were deployed to maintain order at polling stations nationwide.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... government
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Early returns show opposition parties are poised for victory in Thai elections

By Michael Sullivan

May 14, 2023

In a vote widely seen as a referendum on nine years of military-backed rule that brought the current prime minister and coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha to power in Thailand, unofficial results show the opposition surging toward victory.

With roughly 84% of votes counted, the Pheu Thai party, the latest iteration of the populist political machine of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is projected to have won 113 seats, while the progressive upstart Move Forward Party won 115 — propelled by voters like 38-year-old nurse Tidawan who voted in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen.

"I want a new thing, a new power, and a new way," said Tidawan, who didn't want to give her last name. "Under the military, nothing is going to change."

That idea was echoed by 25-year-old Wachiraporn Taweemaneekot, who cast her vote for Move Forward in the capital, Bangkok.

"I just wanted to see something new, something better," she said at a polling station near the center of the city. "Now we need a new thing to bring us into the future. To bring us forward."

Move Forward ran on a platform of "the three Ds," its charismatic, Harvard University-educated candidate for prime minister told NPR: "Demilitarize, demonopolize and decentralize — that's how you democratize Thailand. That's the endgame," Pita Limjaroenrat said. "Take military out of politics so that we don't have military coup every seven years on average."

Move Forward has also championed marriage equality and an end to military conscription, two issues that resonate with younger voters, as well as its more controversial call for amendments to the controversial Lese Majeste laws that prohibit any criticism of the Thai monarchy.

That law stipulates prison terms of between 3 and 15 years for those convicted. Several hundred people have been charged under the law in the past few years, many following protests that followed the dissolution of Move Forward's predecessor, Future Forward, following its surprisingly strong third place finish in 2019 as a first time contender.

Roughly 52 million Thais were eligible to vote in this election and turnout was thought to be high, as military-linked parties struggling to convince voters they should stay in power after nearly a decade of slow economic growth and a crackdown on pro-democracy activists in the past several years.

The party of the prime minister was on pace for a sixth place finish, according to initial projections.

The opposition's strong showing doesn't guarantee a path to power

Though no major problems were reported during today's voting, Human Rights Watch has called the elections "fundamentally flawed," occurring within the framework of a 2017 constitution written by a commission appointed by the military following its 2014 coup.

That means a royalist, military-backed government could still return to power if they retain the backing of the 250-member, military appointed Senate. The prime minister is chosen by a simple majority of a vote by the house and the senate, meaning the royalist, military establishment could return to power with just 126 House seats.

And there are other tools at the establishment's disposal. In the past two decades, it has staged two coups while Thailand's courts have brought down three opposition prime ministers and dissolved several opposition parties. Political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak from Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University says the threat of dissolution looms large over this election, too.

"Something will happen, most likely, because how could the conservative royalist establishment put up with the kind of agenda that Move Forward offers and peddles, and calls for change, and reform of the military and the monarchy?" Thitinan says. "You have to imagine a lot of Thais, powerful Thais, elites, they have a lot of stakes in the system that were set up over the last seven decades ... they bought into the system. And Move Forward is a direct challenge."

As is Pheu Thai, a generational thorn in the military's side, with the specter of the establishment's arch nemesis, Thaksin Shinawatra, hanging over it. His daughter — Paetongtarn Shinawatra — is one of the party's candidates for prime minister.

Her father and her aunt remain in exile after being deposed by the military on allegations of corruption. Though Thaksin hinted recently that he wished to return this summer to see his new grandson, who Paetongtarn gave birth to earlier this month.

Official results aren't expected for weeks, with a new parliament and a new prime minister to be named by July.

https://www.npr.org/2023/05/14/11760669 ... on-results

[Gaybutton]

Pita Limjaroenrat

Pita, aka "Tim", age 43, apparently will become Thailand's next Prime Minister.

If you would like to read about who he is and what qualifies him, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pita_Limjaroenrat

I don't have information yet as to when he will be confirmed and take office.
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Move Forward scores surprise victory; Pita to become PM

May 15, 2023

The MOVE FORWARD has scored a huge surprise victory in yesterday’s (May 14) general election with party leader Pita Limjaroenrat confirming he is ready to run the country as prime minister and put his party’s campaign promises to work.

According to unofficial 83% results of the nationwide election reported by the Election Commission, the Move Forward have won 151 MP seats, upsetting the Pheu Thai which had earlier anticipated a landslide victory but eventually secured 141 MP seats.

Out of a total of 500 MPs, consisting of 400 in constituency-based mode and 100 in party-listed mode, the 151 Move Forward MPs include 113 constituency-based MPs and 38 party-listed MPs whilst the 141 Pheu Thai MPs include 111 constituency-based MPs and 30 party-listed MPs.

Pita’s party has won all 33 Bangkok constituencies and swept all constituencies of several provinces in all regions of the country including the capital city’s neighbouring ones.

The Bhumjaithai under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob has secured 68 MP seats whilst the Palang Pracharath, headed by Prawit Wongsuwan, has won 42 MP seats, and the Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto party boss/caretaker prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has gained 37 MP seats.

Pita reconfirmed last night the Move Forward will definitely not join ranks with either the Palang Pracharath or Ruam Thai Sang Chart the leadership of which the Move Forward has invariably viewed as military-installed ones.

“With the uncles, without us. And with us without the uncles,” Pita said, citing one of the Move Forward electoral campaign slogans. The uncles referred to Prayut also known as Uncle Tu and Prawit also known as Uncle Pom.

The Move Forward are largely expected to join hands with the Pheu Thai, among other anti-Prayut camps, to set up a coalition government with Pita’s party performing as their core.

Pita said an MoU will be signed between the leaderships of all partners of a Move Forward-led coalition which, he said, may as well include the Thai Liberal and Prachachart in days to come.

Pita said the planned MoU is primarily designed to keep all coalition partners committed to implementing their campaign platforms in the course of the people’s interests.

Pheu Thai partisan candidates for prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of the de facto party boss/deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Settha Taweesin admitted that the party which has won most of the MP seats in yesterday’s election be given the privilege of naming their own partisan candidate for prime minister and becoming core of government.

It remains to be seen whether the Bhumjaithai might possibly join the Move Forward-led coalition though Pita earlier advised that Newin’s camp be no longer given the transport and public health portfolios, the major ones which they had enjoyed over the last four years.

Meanwhile, Pita said the setting up of a minority government either with Prawit’s or Prayut’s camp acting as core would be very unlikely due to a relatively low number of their MPs.

The Palang Pracharath and Ruam Thai Sang Chart bosses are known more or less to exert influence over 250 senators, all of whom had been handpicked by the both of them following the 2014 coup.

Under the coup junta-designed constitution, a partisan contestant for prime minister is obliged to secure yea votes from more than half the total of MPs and senators combined or from at least 376 votes to be successfully named one.

https://thainewsroom.com/2023/05/15/mov ... become-pm/
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Pita declares six-party coalition with 309 MPs

Shuns former government parties; highlights plight of jailed protesters

By Apinya Wipatayotin

May 15, 2023

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat announced on Monday the formation of a planned coalition government comprising five former opposition parties and one new party, with a total of 309 MPs and himself as prime minister.

Mr Pita made the announcement after the Election Commission declared the Move Forward Party the victor in Sunday's general election with 151 MPs - 112 from constituencies and 39 from the party list.

He said he took the victory as a mandate from the people for his party to be the core in the formation of the next government.

Mr Pita said he had called Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Family, and congratulated her for her determination during the campaign and had invited her party to join a coalition. Ms Paetongtarn, in return, congratulated Move Forward and said the media should be informed that the two parties had talked, in the interests of transparency, he added.

The three other former opposition parties he had contacted were Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart and Seri Ruam Thai. The five parties had 308 MPs combined.

Mr Pita said he was contacting Pen Tham, or the Fair Party, which had one party-list MP, to join the coalition. He said it was a party which had worked arduously for peace in the three southernmost border provinces.

The six parties would have 309 MPs in total, enough to be a majority government, he said.

The five former opposition parties would discuss details regarding policies and work plans. It would also be necessary for them to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) so that the people would see what would happen to Thailand in the next 100 days and the year ahead.

A team of negotiators would be set up for the formation of the government. Promises made to the people during the campaign would be discussed for further implementation. A public referendum would also be held for the amendment of the constitution.

After the talks, Move Forward would seek to meet with people in the government and business sectors and promote understanding with those holding different opinions from it.

"We would form the government as soon as possible, so that there would not be a political and economic vacuum. Please be assured that Move Forward will be fast and meticulous," Mr Pita said.

Asked whether Move Forward worried that senators would not vote in support of the coalition to meet the required 376 votes of endorsement for prime minister, Mr Pita said he was not concerned about it. The party had a mandate from the people.

Mr Pita said he did not see any reason for the senators to go against the people's mandate, which should be accepted by all concerned.

Asked whether Move Forward or Pheu Thai would take the defence portfolio, Mr Pita said he was ready to be prime minister and concurrently take another cabinet post. But he would not mind if there was another person suitable for the post.

Concerning Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, Mr Pita said this had not been raised for discussion with other parties. However, Section 112 could be amended in parliament. Move Forward had 151 MPs, enough that it could itself propose amending legislation.

Mr Pita said what was more urgent than amending the law was the plight of people indicted in political cases and their chance of being pardoned.

Asked whether he was concerned about a petition filed against him with the Election Commission over his shares in a defunct media firm, Mr Pita said he was ready to clear this matter with the Election Commission. People should not worry about it, he added.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... th-309-mps
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Sunday night said he respects the election results which see Move Forward Party emerge as the top winner.

May 15, 2023

Speaking briefly to journalists as he was leaving the headquarters of the United Thai Nation Party, Prayut thanked voters for their support for the party. “I will continue to perform my duty to the best of my ability in whatever capacity. And I will continue to serve the nation, religion and the monarchy for the rest of my life,” he said.

The outgoing prime minister said he wished the country peace and order. “I have respect for the democratic process and the election results,” he said.

Prayut is a prime ministerial candidate of UTN which is trailing far behind other major parties in the ongoing vote counts.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-say ... n-results/

[bkkguy]

I would have thought politicians would have learnt by now the potential dangers of showing a watch in any photos!

[Gaybutton]

Specifics are not included in this article, such as what is meant by "24-Hour Pattaya". Perhaps it means businesses choosing to do so will be permitted to remain open as long as they wish, even open 24 hours a day. If that is so, will that include bars? Will they be getting rid of that absurd law that says liquor can be bought 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to midnight? Will at least some of the holidays mandating the bars must close or at least cannot sell alcohol be rescinded? Will sex workers, meaning prostitution, be legalized? If so, what kinds, if any, restrictions will be imposed?

Will some of the rules involving farang be relaxed? Will they release, at least in part, us expats from having to keep 800,000 baht in our Thai bank accounts? Will they go back to permitting embassies to provide proof-of-income statements?

Will they get rid of the beach concession restrictions? If they do, I just might start going to the beach again.

Will go-go bars finally be permitted in Supertown (aka Jomtien Complex)?

There are all kinds of things I'm sure most of us hope will happen, but again so far I'm not finding specifics. Now that the election is over I hope we will soon find out just what the winners intend to do. Regarding farang, I think all of us definitely are interested to know whether things will be made easier for us, more difficult for us, a mixture of the two, or whether everything will simply remain status quo.

Of course, as time goes on and we start getting some answers, we'll post what we are able to find out.
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Move Forward MP-Elect Thanks Pattaya Voters, Vows to Amend Business-Unfriendly Laws

By Tanakorn Panyadee

16 May, 2023

The MP-elect for Constituency District 9 from the Move Forward Party Yodchai Puengporn personally thanked voters in Pattaya for their overwhelming support and vowed to rectify laws that had adverse effects on businesses.

Mr. Yodchai went to greet Pattaya residents around the city yesterday, May 15th, after the Election Commission (EC) announced Monday that the Move Forward Party (MFP) had won 152 seats in the lower house (House of Representatives) in Sunday’s general election.

Mr. Yodchai, an MFP MP candidate for Constituency District 9 (Nongprue sub-district), gracefully won by a landslide in Pattaya, receiving over 30,459 votes and beating the second place from the Pheu Thai Party by a large margin.

The MP-elect revealed to local media that he was delighted to be trusted by the people and to get to work as a representative of the people of Pattaya and Nongprue sub-district.

The MFP would expedite its policy implementation as quickly as possible, which roughly included the “24-Hour Pattaya” campaign and the election of provincial governors in all provinces.

The Pattaya News notes that the appointment of provincial governors is usually made by central government, with some provinces having governors appointed directly by the Ministry of Interior. However, there are certain provinces, known as “Special Administrative Provinces,” where the governor or mayor is elected, such as Bangkok and Pattaya.

Mr. Yodchai said his party would also have the ability to promptly address various laws that may hinder businesses through the City Council.

https://thepattayanews.com/2023/05/16/m ... ndly-laws/

[Jun]

Will they get rid of the beach concession restrictions? If they do, I just might start going to the beach again.
Will go-go bars finally be permitted in Supertown (aka Jomtien Complex)?

I would have thought these issues are mostly local planning decisions, handled by people elected locally ?

Will they get rid of the beach concession restrictions? If they do, I just might start going to the beach again.

The beach concession restrictions have, in my opinion had no impact on the desirability of the beach in the last 3 years.
The restrictions on the space occupied have been outweighed by reduced tourist numbers, so there has usually been plenty of space for anyone who wants to go to the beach.
It's also interesting to note that people mostly still go to the "natural" section of the beach, rather than the widened sections.
I see no evidence that the beach widening increases desirability, although I'm sure it increases revenue for the contractor.

The only thing that will get me back to the beach on a regular basis would be cute lads in skimpy underwear. In the era of mobile phones, it's not going to happen.

[Gaybutton]

I would have thought these issues are mostly local planning decisions, handled by people elected locally ?

Some are and some aren't. Things like permitting go-go bars in Jomtien Complex would be local decisions. Things like relaxing rules for expats or legalizing marijuana, those would be national government decisions. I'm hoping, if nothing else regarding immigration, each office having to obey the same rules rather than in some cases just making up their own.

Things like legalizing sex workers, I'm not sure whether that would be national or local - or both.

Based on the landslide Move Forward party win, locally or nationally the decisions will be made, or at least pushed, within the same political party.

I doubt it will take very long before we start seeing just what the Move Forward party will favor, will oppose, or "nolo contendere". Personally, although I am usually pessimistic more than anything else, at least for now I am very optimistic. Prime Ministers as young as 43 years old are not exactly commonplace.

[Gaybutton]

It's not a done deal just yet.
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Thai senators come under pressure over PM vote

May 16, 2023

Military-appointed senators have been coming under pressure from civil society groups after some vowed not to vote for Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, to become the next prime minister of Thailand.

The senators in question have said that their stance against Pita is because of his anti-establishment position, declared publicly before the election.

Pita is in the process of forming a coalition government with Pheu Thai and some smaller parties, which could amass a voting bloc of 310 votes in parliament. Pita needs 376 members of a joint sitting to vote for him to become prime minister, meaning that he would need 66 military-appointed senators to vote for him.

The Rural Doctor Society, a non-governmental organisation, issued a statement on Monday calling for MPs and senators to respect the voters’ choice, demonstrated in the May 14th general election.

It said that the results of the election clearly reflect Thai people’s intentions to change the country and it was an important sign of democratic progress.

The society called on MPs of all political parties and the 250 senators to write democratic history by voting for Pita.

Selecting Pita as the new prime minister would be an important step in moving beyond long standing conflicts in the country and voting for him would be a display of respect for the intention and hopes of the voters, it said.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-senat ... r-pm-vote/
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What is Next for Thailand’s Political Future after the Election

By Tanakorn Panyadee

16 May, 2023

Although Thailand’s general election resulted in a heroic victory for the Move Forward Party, their bid to form a coalition government may not be smooth sailing after certain members of the upper house (Senate) made it clear that they will not vote for the party’s prime ministerial candidate as the country’s 30th premier.

Under the current constitution, the 250 senators appointed by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) are allowed to join MPs in electing a prime minister in Parliament.

This will be the second and likely last time they will participate in the selection of the prime minister with the lower house. In the 2019 election, senators joined MPs in voting for General Prayut Chan-o-cha to become prime minister.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) now has a combined 310 MPs comprised of five former opposition parties and one new party. Without the support of the 250-member senate, they will need to gather as many as 375 MPs or half of the entire Parliament (750) to bypass the Senate to successfully nominate Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and sole PM candidate for Move Forward, as prime minister.

“A prime minister must demonstrate loyalty to the royal institution,” Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha said in reference to Move Forward’s campaign to amend the controversial lese majeste law. This indicated that he, as a senator, might not vote for Pita or abstain from voting when it’s time to pick a premier.

Some other senators like Pornthip Rojanasunan also made it clear that she would abstain from voting, citing her concerns about the MFP’s intention to amend the lese majeste law. She said the MFP should not meddle with such fragile and contentious issues.

With 310 votes in hand, many analysts said the MFP should request support from the Bhumjai Thai Party, the cannabis proponent and the party that came in third in the election. Bhumjaithai has roughly 70 MPs and could give MFP the majority without needing Senate approval. However, there were no talks between the two factions as of press time, with Anutin Charnvirakul, party leader, saying he would wait for official election results within sixty days before making any decisions.

The two parties also have significant differences, with Bhumjaithai unlikely to support Lese Majeste changes and MFP stating, officially anyways, that they were against marijuana and wanted it relisted as a narcotic, only being used for strict medical reasons.

Whatever the outcome, a countdown to a new era has officially begun.

From now, Thailand will go through the five next steps as follows:

July 13th

Deadline for the announcement by the Election Commission of the official results of the general election

July

Following the results, the House of Representatives will select a new speaker.

August

Parliament will choose a new premier.

Late August

A new cabinet is formed, and the caretaker government steps down.

The new PM would also need official approval from his Royal Majesty the King although this is usually a formality.

https://thepattayanews.com/2023/05/16/w ... -election/