Pita Limjaroenrat’s progressive Move Forward Party is on monitor to win the biggest share of seats and the favored vote, based on unofficial outcomes, far forward of the social gathering of incumbent Prime Minister – and 2014 coup chief – Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Pita, a 42-year-old Harvard alumni, stated his coverage priorities over the following 4 years shall be to “demilitarise, demonopolise and decentralise” Thailand.
“With the three-prong approach, that’s the only way that we can fully democratise Thailand and make sure that Thailand is back to business, Thailand is back in the global arena, and make sure that the country … is contributing but also benefiting by the definition of globalization,” he stated.
Move Forward had gained an enormous following amongst younger Thais for its reformist platform, which included radical plans to amend the nation’s strict lese majeste legal guidelines regardless of the taboo surrounding any dialogue of the royal household in Thailand.
The social gathering’s proposed structural adjustments to the army embrace eliminating the draft, decreasing the funds, making it extra clear and accountable, and decreasing the variety of generals.
Pita stated the social gathering’s success in Sunday’s election, wherein a report variety of Thais voted, confirmed these insurance policies resonate not solely with the younger however throughout society.
“That’s pretty sensational,” he stated.
“It’s pretty clear that people have demanded change here in Thailand… it’s very clear that the sentiment of the era has changed and we have developed a consensus for a new day here,” Pita stated.
Following the election, the Move Forward chief stated he was in talks with the opposite opposition events to type a coalition and safe sufficient of a majority within the decrease home of parliament to type a authorities.
Among these events is the populist Pheu Thai, which is aligned with the highly effective Shinawatra household that had dominated each Thai election since 2001 earlier than putting second in Sunday’s vote.
“The coalition is taking shape as we speak,” Pita stated.
Despite voters delivering a vocal name for change by overwhelmingly rejecting military-backed events, it is not but sure who will take energy.
A significant roadblock is the unelected 250-seat senate, which is chosen solely by the army and has beforehand voted for a pro-military candidate.
A celebration or coalition must win a majority in each homes to elect a major minister and type a authorities.
Pita stated the unity of the senators shouldn’t be the identical because it was 4 years in the past after they unanimously voted to elect Prayut as prime minister. They should additionally bear in mind the “significant shift in public opinion” that has developed since 2019, he stated.
“If we keep communicating and we keep explaining what we’re trying to do for the country, and how well we mean for the future of this country, I think that will not be a significant roadblock. And the price to pay, the cost of going against 25 million votes here in Thailand will be very hefty,” Pita stated.
Asked what would occur if Thailand’s army tried to subvert election outcomes, Pita stated, “we have to minimise the risk” of subversion.
Move Forward’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, received the third most seats within the 2019 election. Shortly afterward, a number of of the social gathering’s leaders had been banned from politics and the social gathering was later dissolved after a court docket dominated it had violated electoral finance guidelines.
Thailand has witnessed a dozen profitable coups since 1932, together with two prior to now 17 years.
But Pita stated he is ready for each state of affairs.
“I’m not worried but I’m not careless as well. I’ve been in politics in Thailand for the past 20 years, so I can see the brutality of politics,” he stated, including that he has a powerful crew round him to “make sure we don’t give out any easy targets”.
“Yes, there are professional and personal attacks against me but I have prepared in the past in order to clarify and explain and make sure I have a strong legal basis for anything that comes my way,” Pita stated.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut stated “the formation of the new government will be in process” and he’ll carry out his obligation as chief and head of the cupboard to “the best of my abilities” whereas ready for the brand new authorities to be shaped.
Source: www.9news.com.au
