Thailand’s People’s Party suffers a major electoral setback, losing millions of votes as conservative rivals capitalise on nationalist sentiment.
BANGKOK: Thailand’s progressive People’s Party has suffered a dramatic reversal of fortune in the country’s general election. Preliminary results show the party, which won the last election and led opinion polls, finishing a distant second.
The conservative Bhumjaithai party of incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul secured first place. Analysts say Bhumjaithai’s nationalist messaging resonated powerfully following a border conflict with Cambodia last year.
Rounds of fighting in July and December killed scores and displaced over a million people. Thai forces took control of several disputed areas late last year under Anutin’s leadership.
“Anutin was able to leverage that sentiment, but People’s Party didn’t really represent or stand for nationalism,” said Mahidol University professor Punchada Sirivunnabood. “They seemed to ignore this point.”
The People’s Party, campaigning on ending conscription and cutting military generals, lost nearly five million votes in the party list ballot compared to its 2023 performance. The result has disappointed supporters hungry for change in the conservative kingdom.
“I was hoping the People’s Party would win more votes,” said despondent supporter Naruedon Srikaew, 29. “I’m still hopeful the country can reform itself, but I think the majority may feel they are not ready yet.”
The party, formerly known as Move Forward, topped the 2023 poll on a platform of reforming strict royal insult laws and pushing back military influence. That vote followed nine years under coup-leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha and mass youth-led protests.
Political scientist Napon Jatusripitak said that 2023 election functioned as a de facto referendum between a pro-conservative status quo and a pro-reform alternative. Move Forward represented a broad-based protest vote against the generals.
It was never able to take power, however. Military-appointed senators blocked its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, from becoming prime minister. The constitutional court later dissolved the party, ruling its pledge to reform the royal insult law was an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.
Pita was banned from politics for 10 years. Napon noted there was no clear-cut pro-democracy versus pro-military divide in this latest election.
Conservative forces remain deeply entrenched in Thailand, which has a long history of military coups and judicial bans. The anti-corruption body has now referred 44 current, former and newly elected People’s Party MPs to the Supreme Court.
They face accusations that their campaign to reform the royal insult law was a breach of ethics. This could result in them being banned from politics.
Analysts also suggest some reform-minded voters were angered by the People’s Party’s decision to back Anutin as prime minister during a political crisis last year. Prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has said the party will not side with Bhumjaithai and will join the opposition.
Despite the setback, some analysts and supporters believe a comeback is possible. “Thai youths are fickle,” said political analyst Paul Chambers. “People’s Party will learn its lessons and return in the next general election stronger than ever.”
Some supporters at party headquarters remained defiant. “I’m disappointed, but we have to believe we can achieve our goals,” said 19-year-old engineering student Korawich Phakthawee. “Thai people are ready for change — we’ve been stuck in conservative politics for too long.”
The Sun Malaysia
