Image: JACK TAYLOR (AFP)
Still, there is a possibility that the military, which came to power in a 2014 coup, may remain in office with possibly fewer votes. Around 52 million people were called to vote on Sunday. It could be weeks before the official result is available.
Observers had spoken of a “fateful choice”. The newspaper “Bangkok Post” wrote in a comment that many see the vote as a “turning point in contemporary Thai politics” and declared it a “test for democracy”.
Opposition could score
According to surveys, the opposition scored well with the voters – especially Pheu Thai with the top candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The 36-year-old, who became a mother for the second time just two weeks ago, is the heir to a rich dynasty of politicians. Recently, however, the progressive move-forward party with top candidate Pita Limjaroenrat (42) had caught up. She is particularly popular with younger voters.
Nevertheless, the incumbent head of government and former coup general Prayut Chan-o-cha could remain in power. Because a constitutional change after the coup provides for 250 unelected senators to decide who becomes prime minister together with the 500 newly elected members of parliament. These were appointed by the military in 2018 and are believed to be loyal to Prayut.
Speculations about coalitions
For weeks there has been speculation about possible coalitions that would enable the opposition to achieve a majority of 376 votes without the senators. According to political observers, the country could face renewed protests if the election of the head of government does not ultimately reflect the will of the voters. Abroad, too, many are anxious about the popular holiday destination.
Army chief Narongpan Jittkaewtae tried to allay fears of a possible new coup in the course of the vote. There will be no further military coup under his leadership, people should remove the term from their vocabulary, he said. There have been around a dozen coups in the kingdom since the 1930s.
Meanwhile, despite the great heat, there were signs of a high turnout in large parts of the country. “I went to vote right away in the morning, shortly after the polling stations opened,” a young woman from Bangkok told dpa. “There was already a long queue.” Unofficial results could become known later in the evening (local time). However, the electoral commission only has to announce the final result within the next 60 days.
Source: Nachrichten
