Thailand general election 2023 tracker: Live news and election updates

A tall order for the new government

A Thai online entrepreneur using the alias Maddy was among the record turnout of almost 39 million who cast a ballot in the general election earlier this month. Following the announcement of the unofficial results, Move Forward Party (MFP) supporters rejoiced at the victory. However, the recently rewritten constitution poses a challenge for non-military political parties.

Despite the MFP-led coalition having 313 members of parliament, the group is still short of the 376 seats needed to lead, raising concerns about Thailand's political path. This uncertainty has created a feeling of unease for business owners like Maddy, who is unsure about the country's economic outlook if the winning parties cannot form a coalition government.

Maddy voted for the Pheu Thai Party due to its digital wallet platform and other policies that appeal to her business interests. She expressed her hopes for the new government to crack down on tax evasion and support local businesses, believing that this would benefit the economy.

Kasikornbank Research (K-Research) warns that delays in forming a new government could result in budget bill approval and disbursements being pushed back for fiscal 2024. Moreover, the new government may experience fiscal constraints, as campaign pledges involving significant budget allocations could lead to budget deficits due to limited revenue sources.

Economists predict that if the government has to run a higher budget deficit to implement short-term economic policies, the cost of government debt will become more burdensome once Thailand's policy rate reaches 2%. SCB Economic Intelligence Center also expects the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee to gradually raise interest rates to a terminal rate of 2.5% in the third quarter.

K-Research cautions that excessive government debt could lead to competition with the private sector for capital resources and advises the government to consider debt distribution to avoid increased costs for the private sector during economic recovery.

Despite these challenges, some, like 24-year-old graduate Tritdhamon Chanthanapaiboon, are optimistic after the election results and hope to see Thai democratic reform. Ms Tritdhamon, who voted for the MFP, believes that raising the daily minimum wage to 450 baht could help workers with living costs while farmers could diversify their income sources with the Progressive Liquor Act.

K-Research projects GDP growth of 3.7% this year after the economy expanded 2.7% year-on-year in the first quarter and 1.9% from the previous quarter. This growth was driven by the tourism sector, which increased service-sector activities by 87.8% year-on-year.

However, threats from a slowing global economy, including geopolitical conflicts, commodity price volatility, major central banks' tight monetary policies, and the ongoing Western banks' crisis, pose risks to the Thai economy. SCB Economic Intelligence Center also predicts gloomy export prospects for the year, with growth of only 1.2% amid downside risks from the global economy. While exports are expected to contract in the second quarter, they are anticipated to expand in the second half due to increased Chinese demand.

The research unit of Siam Commercial Bank notes that political instability remains an internal risk. Although the liberals' chances of forming a government have increased significantly after the election results, there is still considerable uncertainty. The new government's policies should begin to have a positive impact on the economy once implemented.

Playing the waiting game

Before May 14, numerous investors and analysts hoped that the general election could oppose the "sell in May" phenomenon, referring to the Thai bourse traditionally underperforming in the hot and dry months. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index generally increases 1.1% a week before a national election and 5.3% a week after, resulting in an election rally. Nonetheless, the recent poll sent the SET into a downward spiral, dropping 3% in the first week after the election as political uncertainties led to an outflow of funds, worsening the plight of Asia's worst-performing bourse this year.

The SET's market capitalisation has diminished by 132 billion baht, equating to a 1.7% decrease since the May 14 poll. Investors hastily sold shares of large-cap stocks due to concerns that the Move Forward Party (MFP) policies, following their 152 seat win, would impact listed companies' ability to generate profits. Additional apprehensions consist of the potential for a prolonged delay in forming a new coalition government, possibly disrupting budget spending for the fiscal year 2024, beginning in October.

A few dominating players mainly affected the power generation, telecom, and retail sectors. The industrial, construction, and hotel sectors also experienced problems thanks to the MFP's proposed daily minimum wage increase to 450 baht. Kavee Chukitkasem, head of research at PI Securities, claimed that domestic factors caused by uncertainties surrounding the new government and prime minister led to adverse effects on the stock market. Nevertheless, once the next House speaker is known, Chukitkasem believes that concerns should ease.

Wasu Mattanapotchanart, an equity research analyst at Maybank Securities (Thailand), expressed that fears about the MFP dismantling monopolies are most likely unfounded. Mattanapotchanart suggested that MFP leaders will give priority to social and political issues such as government decentralisation and military reform while allowing the Pheu Thai Party to take charge of the economic front. The MFP's 15 main policy positions do not include any crackdown on large businesses.

Uncertainty surrounds the possibility of the MFP procuring enough support to form a coalition government with Pheu Thai and other minor parties. Wide-ranging policy priorities could come from an assortment of political groups chosen to potentially partner with the new government. If the coalition-building process delays the formation of a new government for several months, effective policymaking may be temporarily constrained.

Fitch Ratings claims that fiscal policy prospects are uncertain but maintains the assumption that the next coalition government will continue to commit to the outgoing administration's key economic policies. If coalition negotiations are prolonged, this could produce some disruption to the budget spending planned for fiscal 2024, negatively impacting Thailand's economic prospects. Fitch forecasts that widely held government debt-to-GDP and interest-to-revenue ratios will align with the median for BBB category sovereigns over 2023–2024. However, if the next government is unsuccessful in stabilising the debt ratio due to continuing spending pressures or external shocks outside the baseline assumptions, it may lead to downward pressure on the sovereign rating.

The present market is thought to have considered potential political-issue-related risks. The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of Thai stocks has fallen from 15.4 times to 15.0 times before the election. Kampon Adireksombat, first senior vice-president and team head of SCB Chief Investment Office, emphasised that specific details regarding the new government's stimulus actions are not yet explicitly known.

Pressure builds on Pheu Thai

A faction of Pheu Thai supporters is urging the party to part ways with the Move Forward Party (MFP) following an internal dispute regarding the House speaker post. Despite the rift, the group still supports Pheu Thai's pledge to vote for MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the next prime minister and permit the MFP to head the creation of a new coalition, according to Niyom Nopparat, one of the group's leaders.

The faction is also calling for Pheu Thai to endorse the MFP-led initiative to rewrite the constitution for the benefit of the people. Several group members convened outside Pheu Thai's headquarters in Bangkok on Sunday, submitting an open letter containing their demands to the party.

If the MFP is unable to amass a sufficient number of MPs to establish a new coalition government, the group believes Pheu Thai, with the second-largest number of House seats after the MFP, should have the right to lead the formation of a new coalition, according to Niyom. He emphasised that the group's motive is not political gamesmanship or an effort to create additional friction between Pheu Thai and the MFP.

Anusorn Iamsa-ard, a prominent figure who serves as deputy secretary-general of Pheu Thai's committee on political strategies, accepted the open letter from the group and pledged to forward the demands to the party's executives for review.

Meanwhile, whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit posted on his Facebook page about what he characterised as a "new secret deal without the MFP". Chuvit claimed that covert negotiations have taken place to position the MFP as an opposition party if it fails to secure more than half of the House seats needed to form a government.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew stated that the party would consider the group's demands, particularly their recommendation for Pheu Thai to exit the MFP-led alliance. He dismissed rumours that Pheu Thai was offered the energy minister position in exchange for the House speaker post, stating that the party has not begun official discussions on cabinet portfolio distribution.

A meeting of the coalition parties has been scheduled for tomorrow to address the cabinet minister quota that each coalition party will be entitled to receive, according to a source. MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon believes there will be enough time remaining after tomorrow's meeting for informal discussions with the coalition parties regarding the House speaker post.

In the meantime, the Election Commission (EC) will begin an investigation today to determine whether Pita was qualified to participate in the election due to his ownership of shares in a media company.

'Go it alone'

A group of Pheu Thai Party supporters assembled on Sunday, urging the party to allow the Move Forward Party to attempt forming a coalition government without Pheu Thai's assistance. The group expressed their dissatisfaction with the perceived "disrespect" shown towards Pheu Thai during the process.

The leader of Pheu Thai acknowledged the group's sentiment and stated that he would take their opinion into consideration.

Dressed in red, the supporters arrived at Pheu Thai's headquarters to make their stance known. Niyom Nopparat, who led the group, explained that they wished for Pheu Thai to step back from the Move Forward Party's efforts to form a coalition government due to the perceived "disrespect" being directed at Pheu Thai.

"We want to urge parties to consider carefully whether a government can be formed without the Pheu Thai Party involvement," Nopparat said.

This appeal was made as Pheu Thai and Move Forward were in the midst of a disagreement over the House Speaker's position.

In their statement, the group expressed their desire for Pheu Thai to allow Move Forward, as the election winner, to attempt forming a government first. If unsuccessful, Pheu Thai would then take a turn as it secured the second highest number of House seats.

Pheu Thai leader, Cholnan Srikaew, confirmed that the party will thoughtfully consider the group's proposal.

"We are listening to opinions from all parties, especially from supporters who the Pheu Thai Party must value," Srikaew said.

He also mentioned that Move Forward is scheduled to meet with coalition allies on Tuesday, and expects an agreement regarding the House Speaker to be reached.

"We must find the most promising conditions for our collaboration... There must be compromises made. No one can be a complete winner or loser. Then everyone will be content," Srikaew explained.

Most believe misinformation used during election: poll

A majority of survey respondents believe that political parties issued misinformation during the lead-up to the election on May 14, both for smearing rivals and gaining popularity, according to a poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).

When asked if they believed parties used social media to attack or smear rivals, 56.49% responded "yes", with 31.22% saying it occurred to a moderate degree while 25.27% felt it happened to a great extent. Conversely, 23.59% said "definitely not", and 19.31% replied "yes, but only to a small degree". The remaining 0.61% had no answer or were not interested.

Regarding the question of whether respondents believed political parties posted misinformation on social media to win popularity, 57.48% said "yes", with 30.08% agreeing to a moderate extent and 27.40% to a large extent. On the other hand, 22.06% said "definitely not", and 19.54% responded "yes, but only to a small degree". The remaining 0.92% had no answer or were uninterested.

When asked if they believed other countries interfered in the election, 78.77% responded negatively—56.56% said "not at all", while 22.21% saw minimal interference. In contrast, 8.17% believed it occurred to a significant degree, and 11.76% responded "somewhat". The remaining 1.30% had no answer or lacked interest.

The poll was conducted between May 18 and 22 through telephone interviews with 1,310 individuals aged 18 and over from various educational backgrounds, occupations, and incomes across the country to gather their opinions on both accurate and false information issued by political parties and circulated on social media.

Wherever UTN goes, so must Prayut

The United Thai Nation (UTN) Party might consider joining a coalition alliance if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha retains his position within the group, according to UTN Secretary-General Akanat Promphan on Saturday.

Akanat, however, mentioned that the party will not be a part of the coalition that the Move Forward Party (MFP) is attempting to form if Prayut is not included. Some individuals have expressed their desire for Prayut to be excluded from any such agreement.

Furthermore, UTN would not consent to any efforts to change Section 112, commonly referred to as the lese majeste law, which is a crucial policy plank for the coalition. "The UTN's newly-elected MPs can perform their duties independently, and the party needs to ensure the coalition shares the same political direction," Akanat said.

Regarding Prayut, Akanat explained, "We nominated him as our prime ministerial candidate. Even though he was defeated, he can still be the party's strategy team chairman." When asked about the potential outcome if the MFP and Pheu Thai fail to form a government, he stated that the UTN has not considered that possibility yet, adding, "We're focusing on the present."

Most believe information operations waged during election: Nida Poll

A majority of people believe that political parties disseminated misinformation during the build-up to the May 14 election, with the intent to tarnish rivals and win popularity, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll).

When asked whether they believed the parties used social media to attack or smear rivals, a majority, or 56.49%, said "yes" - 31.22% to a moderate degree and 25.27% to a great extent. On the other hand, 23.59% said "definitely not", while 19.31% said "yes, but only to a small degree". The rest, 0.61%, had no answer or were not interested.

When asked whether they believed political parties had posted misinformation on social media to win popularity, a majority, or 57.48%, said "yes" – 30.08% to a moderate extent and 27.40% extensively. On the other side, 22.06% said "definitely not" and 19.54% said "yes, but only to a small degree". The rest, 0.92%, had no answer or were not interested.

When asked whether they believed other countries had interfered in the election, a majority, or 78.77%, said "no" – 56.56% "not at all" and 22.21% "to a small degree". On the other side, 8.17% said "yes, extensively" and 11.76% somewhat. The rest, 1.30%, had no answer or were not interested.

The poll was carried out between May 18-22 through telephone interviews with 1,310 individuals aged 18 and over of various levels of education, occupations and incomes throughout the country to gather their opinions on the information, both true and false, issued by the parties and disseminated on social media.

Dems deny coalition rumours

The Democrat Party on Saturday denied rumours that it was in discussions with another party to establish a rival coalition that would exclude the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the United Thai Nation Party (UTN).

Ramet Rattanachaweng, acting Democrat spokesperson, said no Democrats have participated in any plan to create a rival coalition and claimed such rumours harmed the party's reputation.

Additionally, Rattanachaweng said the party would not involve itself in a dispute regarding the House Speaker's role, following tensions between the MFP and the Pheu Thai Party over who should secure the position. He noted that it is the prospective coalition's responsibility to resolve the issue.

Rattanachaweng emphasised that the House Speaker, who is also the Parliament President by default, must be impartial when performing their duties, as required by the charter and parliamentary regulations.

He praised Democrat patriarch Chuan Leekpai for executing his role perfectly and remaining unbiased when making judgements in parliament. Rattanachaweng expressed his belief that the prospective coalition partners could find a suitable individual for the House Speaker post.

He dismissed reports suggesting the Democrats and Pheu Thai would negotiate a deal on the House Speaker appointment.

Rattanachaweng defended Chuan over his choice not to include a bill that sought to amend Section 112 on the House agenda during the last parliament, arguing that the proposed legislation was unconstitutional.

"It's not accurate to say he didn't support a public-sponsored bill. Several proposals initiated by the public were examined and passed into law. A proposed constitutional amendment proposed by the public was also accepted for consideration," he said.

The spokesperson also mentioned that the party, which secured 25 seats in the general election, would not back any MFP-led effort to revise Section 112, even though the matter is not part of the agreement reached by the eight prospective partners. Rattanachaweng indicated that the Democrats have gathered information about the amendment proposal supported by the MFP and have serious reservations about several aspects.

Previously, former massage parlour tycoon Chuvit Kamolvisit claimed that two parties were devising a plan in the event that the MFP's bid to form the coalition government failed.

He also remarked that the current government bloc, led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, had not abandoned their strategy to retain power.

MFP, Pheu Thai to huddle over House Speaker post row

The Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai Party are set to discuss their differences over the House Speaker position, a role both parties have been aiming to fill, at a meeting with all eight prospective coalition partners on Tuesday.

The conflict over who should assume the House Speaker role has persisted for days in interviews and on social media, prompting MFP leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat to call on the coalition partners to remain united and settle the matter through talks.

Chaithawat Tulathon, MFP secretary-general and party coordinator working on the formation of an MFP-led coalition government, said the discussion is expected to begin at 2.30pm at Prachachart Party headquarters. Pita has emphasised the importance of all coalition parties taking part, Chaithawat added.

The meeting was initially intended to serve as a forum for the parties to discuss the implementation of parts of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Monday, he said.

The MoU, signed by MFP and its coalition partners, outlines the policies they have agreed upon for a government to be formed.

Discussions about the allocation of cabinet portfolios will follow Tuesday's meeting, Chaithawat said, adding that some cabinet ministers in the MFP quota will also include outsiders deemed suitable.

The MFP has yet to formally begin internal discussions on who will hold which cabinet positions. The allocation of cabinet portfolios could provide more opportunities for disputes, with Pheu Thai likely to ask for key positions based on their strong election night showing—just as they did with the speaker's role.

Prasert Chantararuangthong, Pheu Thai secretary-general, said both parties are expected to settle the House speakership matter this week. He expressed optimism that the talks would yield a satisfactory result, so a vote to select a new House Speaker wouldn't be necessary.

Prasert added that the dispute between the MFP and Pheu Thai over the speaker post was unlikely to lead to a serious rift or prevent them from working together as a coalition.

Suchart Tancharoen, an elected list-MP of Pheu Thai and former deputy House Speaker, pointed out that some remarks by the MFP about the role of the House Speaker might have misled people about the importance of this position.

In the past, a House Speaker wasn't from a party that won a majority but was someone elected by fellow MPs, he said. More importantly, the speaker must always follow regulations and not be biased against bills proposed by other parties, he added.

Deputy MFP leader Nutthawut Buaprathum expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved, stating on Facebook, "Pheu Thai will never pull out and leave any opportunity for a dictator regime to return, for the sake of our [voters]."

Wherever UTN goes, so must Prayut

The United Thai Nation (UTN) Party may join the coalition alliance if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remains in the group, stated UTN Secretary-General Akanat Promphan, 24 years old, on Saturday.

However, Akanat said the party will not join the coalition which the Move Forward Party (MFP) is attempting to assemble if Prayut is excluded. Some have suggested that Prayut should be left out of any such agreement.

Similarly, UTN would not consent to any effort to alter Section 112, the so-called lese majeste law, which is one of the coalition's key policy planks. "The UTN's newly-elected MPs can perform their duties regardless, and the party needs to ensure the coalition has the same direction in politics," Akanat remarked.

In reference to Prayut, Akanat said, "We nominated him as our prime ministerial candidate. Despite being defeated, he can still be the party's strategy team chairman." When asked about the possibility of the MFP and Pheu Thai failing to form a government, Akanat admitted that UTN had not considered that scenario. "We're concentrating on the present."

Pita issues coalition unity call

Efforts are being made to defuse tensions between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the Pheu Thai Party over who should receive the role of House Speaker.

Pita Limjaroenrat, 32 years old, the MFP leader and prime ministerial candidate, said on Friday that the MFP and its seven prospective coalition partners must hold talks to discuss the issue. He added that the MFP's allies must stick together and move forward with the formation of a government.

Move Forward, and its seven allies— the Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties—signed a memorandum of understanding last Monday, agreeing on the policies of the government they plan to form together.

On Friday, Pita was non-committal over whether the House Speaker should be an MFP-chosen candidate, saying that negotiators must discuss the matter first.

Pita also expressed confidence that Pheu Thai would not pull out of the coalition over the issue. "I believe the MFP and Pheu Thai can reach an understanding. I am not concerned that Pheu Thai will pull out of the coalition. I am sure there will be a solution."

After the Election Commission officially endorses all winning election candidates, negotiators will continue to meet for talks to ensure a smooth transition of power so the new government can begin work immediately.

"Differing opinions among coalition partners over the House Speaker post during the past few days are trivial compared to the task entrusted to us by the people," Pita said, "Coalition partners must hold hands firmly together and steer the country towards democracy. From now on, all parties should work on fine-tuning their policies so we can succeed in forming a government."

The role of House Speaker is critical in politics as it involves overseeing House meetings and the agenda. To push its legislative initiatives and fulfil its campaign promises, the MFP needs to take control of the post, according to sources.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said that the party's negotiators had requested that the House Speaker role be filled by Pheu Thai because the MFP already wants the post of prime minister.

Phumtham insisted that the issue could only be settled privately by the two parties themselves. "Speaking out in public will only cause more problems."

MFP deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun revealed on Thursday that the MFP needed the House Speaker post to push all 45 bills and other articles of legislature proposed by coalition partners during their campaigns, pursuing an agenda that includes amending the constitution.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong, however, reaffirmed the party's support for Pita as prime minister, adding that the House Speaker role had not been included in the memorandum of understanding.

Rift widens

A growing rift between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai has emerged as they grapple for the position of House speaker. The MFP's deputy leader, Sirikanya Tansakun, insisted that her party required the role. She argued that only with MFP leadership of the executive and legislative branches would the party be able to promote 45 draft bills and others brought forward by coalition partners. Sirikanya expressed confidence that, with the House speaker post secured, the MFP could prioritise amending the constitution.

On Monday, Move Forward and seven allied parties - Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties - signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to serve as a policy guideline for their government coalition. Sirikanya dismissed rumours that disagreements over the House speaker role could trigger Pheu Thai's withdrawal from the partnership.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew criticised comments by Progressive Movement secretary-general and MFP election campaign assistant, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul. Piyabutr posted on Facebook that the House speaker role was one the MFP "couldn't afford to lose". Cholnan considered Piyabutr's remarks an attempt to pressure potential coalition partners.

According to Pheu Thai deputy leader Sutin Klungsang, negotiations with MFP were ongoing. He championed the idea of Pheu Thai taking the House speaker role while MFP assumes that of prime minister. While Pheu Thai secretary-general, Prasert Chantararuangthong, supported MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat's appointment as prime minister, he said the House speaker post was a different matter entirely.

Pheu Thai MP-elect Adisorn Piangket suggested that, if the two parties failed to reach a consensus, the House speaker role could be settled through a parliamentary vote.

Post-poll lull has a lot to answer for

Thailand's post-election process has come under scrutiny as the Move Forward Party (MFP) and opposition ally Pheu Thai Party coalition government, which earned a clear mandate from voters with over 58% of the 500 lower house seats, is facing critical obstacles. These hindrances, including the military-appointed senate and the Election Commission (EC), are reminiscent of the country's coup-dominated era from 2014-2019. There is now a growing need for public pressure on these powerful but biased entities to respect the people's choice, as shown by the polls on May 14.

The 2017 military-inspired charter allows the EC up to 60 days to certify election results, an unnecessarily long period compared to the previous charters of 1997 and 2007. The extended time is seen as a means to undermine political parties and elected representatives, painting democratic rule in a negative light. Furthermore, attempts may be made to meddle with results during these lengthy periods. Notably, the recent election has been lauded as the cleanest Thailand has ever had, making the lengthy certification process even more redundant.

Pita Limjaroenrat, MFP party leader and potential prime minister, has become a target for the established centres of power, posing an existential threat to them. Legal standards in Thailand have long been applied arbitrarily, with the law often being used to enforce power rather than justice and fair play. In Pita's case, he faces a flimsy charge of share ownership in a defunct media company, which could derail his premiership.

The EC, along with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and charter court, have been seen as enforcers of the traditional power sources. If they resort to disqualifying Pita or dissolving Move Forward to mould the government's final outcome, protests and unrest may escalate, considering the party and its leader's reforms have gained remarkable popular support.

Bhumjaithai, Democrats gain seats in EC vote tally

The Election Commission (EC) has completed its vote count for the recent elections, resulting in an additional constituency MP seat for the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) at the expense of the Move Forward Party (MFP). In the list system, the Democrat Party gained an extra seat while the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) lost one from a previous tentative count.

Official election results will be released once poll commissioners approve the final figures. A source mentioned that the poll regulator is preparing to announce the vote count, which is now complete.

For several days after the May 14 elections, the vote count in the commission's ECT Report system remained at 99%, showing the MFP having garnered 113 House seats in the constituency method and the BJT securing 67 seats.

A delay in the constituency vote count in Prachin Buri's Constituency 3 prevented the final figures from being finalised. In this constituency, candidates from the BJT and the MFP were competing closely.

An earlier report indicated a narrow lead for the MFP candidate, but the complete vote count confirmed a win for the BJT candidate. Consequently, the MFP's initial constituency MP tally dropped to 112, while the BJT's constituency MP count increased to 68.

The number of constituency MP seats is now tied between the MFP and the Pheu Thai, both with 112 each. When combined with the list-MP seats, the MFP's overall MP tally is 151, Pheu Thai has 141, and Bhumjaithai holds 71.

Furthermore, the Democrats saw their list-MPs increase from two to three, with third place secured by former party leader Banyat Bantadtan. However, this resulted in the PPRP losing one of the two list seats it had initially gained, leaving the party with only one list seat, which goes to its leader, Prawit Wongsuwon.

BJT, Dems gain seats in EC vote tally

The Election Commission (EC) has completed its vote count, revealing an additional constituency MP seat for the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) at the cost of the Move Forward Party (MFP), according to the EC.

Furthermore, in the list system, the Democrat Party gained an additional seat while the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) lost one from an earlier tentative count.

With the vote count now concluded, the EC will release official election results shortly after the poll commissioners approve the rounded-off figures. A source said the poll regulator was preparing to officially announce the completed vote count.

For several days after the May 14 polls, the count in the commission's ECT Report system appeared static at 99%, which indicated that the MFP, the largest party to emerge from the election, had received 113 House seats in the constituency method and the BJT, 67 seats.

A delay in the constituency vote count in Prachin Buri's Constituency 3 had prevented the final figure from being finalised. Constituency 3 is where the candidates of the BJT and the MFP were competing closely.

An earlier report showed the MFP candidate had a narrow lead, although the complete vote count has instead confirmed a win for the BJT candidate. Consequently, the MFP's initial constituency MP tally of 113 seats has been reduced to 112, while the BJT's constituency MP number has increased from 67 to 68.

The number of constituency MP seats is now tied between the MFP and the Pheu Thai, at 112 each.

When combined with the list-MP seats, the MFP's overall MP tally stands at 151, Pheu Thai at 141, and Bhumjaithai at 71.

Additionally, the Democrats have seen their list-MPs rise from two to three, with the third place secured by Banyat Bantadtan, a former party leader.

However, this cost the PPRP one of two list seats it was reported to have gained earlier. The party now only has one list seat, which goes to its leader, Prawit Wongsuwon.

PPRP's Ruangkrai seeks probe into 'illegal' MoU

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a former Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list-MP candidate, petitioned the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday to investigate an alleged violation of the organic law on political parties by the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the seven parties agreeing to join its new coalition.

In signing a memorandum of understanding on Monday on their intention to jointly form the new government, the parties could be seen as agreeing to be influenced by an outsider, which is prohibited under the organic law, according to Ruangkrai.

He said his check with the MFP's regulations found none indicating specifically that the party is allowed to sign an MoU with any other parties regarding the formation of a new government.

"This could also mean the MFP's signing of the MoU with the parties is against the MFP's own regulations," he said.

The seven prospective coalition partners are the Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties.

Ruangkrai also urged the EC to speed up examining his previous petition seeking a formal investigation into the MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat's alleged ineligibility to run in the election and promptly forward the matter to the Constitutional Court.

In the petition, Ruangkrai accused Pita of being ineligible to run because he holds 42,000 shares in iTV Plc, a media company.

Section 98(3) of the constitution prohibits a person who holds shares in a media company from running in an election, he said.

Pita previously insisted the iTV shares belonged to his family, while he only serves as executor of the inherited shares.

Asked whether this new petition would likely lead to the dissolution of the MFP, Ruangkrai said all eight parties would be dissolved if found guilty as accused.

Ruangkrai shrugged off criticism that he was merely attempting to justify the Senate's likely refusal to vote for Pita in the coming selection of a new prime minister.

He has petitioned the EC to probe not only Pita but also Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, in the past.

Time to rebrand

The Pheu Thai Party aims to revamp its image through enhanced social media presence to fare better in upcoming polls following its defeat to the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the May 14 election.

A seminar was held on Wednesday, where party executives and candidates who won and lost House seats discussed their post-election situation.

Party leader Cholnan Srikaew stated that the seminar's goal was to provide moral support to all candidates, regardless of whether they won or lost in the vote. He appreciated the hard work of all candidates, despite the party finishing second behind the MFP.

Unofficially, Pheu Thai secured 141 House seats, falling behind the MFP, which led with 152 MPs-elect.

Cholnan revealed that a working panel, led by key party member Noppadon Pattama, will be established to evaluate the election results. Additionally, each candidate was instructed to carry out a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis and present their findings for discussion at the next seminar.

"We won't point fingers at each other, but we will accept the truth so we can adjust and move forward," Cholnan said.

Prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, believed that the election outcome was not a catastrophe for the party and would instead serve as a driving force for progress.

Another PM candidate, Srettha Thavisin, mentioned that the next step involves rebranding the party, with a working panel set up to manage the process.

Though the rebranding specifics have yet to be discussed, Cholnan stressed retaining the party's identity and not emulating anyone. He emphasised the importance of intertwining strategies to deal with the virtual and real world.

Pheu Thai's secretary-general, Prasert Chantararuangthong, pointed out that social media played a crucial role in influencing voters, as it reaches a broader audience. With over 50 million social media users in Thailand, the party recognises its power and plans to leverage it more in future elections.

"We now look ahead to the next election. Election candidates must hone their skills in using social media, as it plays a key role," Prasert said.

He also noted that democratic principles still prevail, as the election results showed that over 70% of voters favoured parties advocating democracy.

Several election candidates who shifted from Pheu Thai to parties linked to the coup-makers faced defeat in the election, according to Prasert.

Unity affirmed

Sirikanya Tansakun, the deputy leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), has expressed her confidence that the Pheu Thai Party will remain in the coalition despite a disagreement over the post of House Speaker that both parties covet.

On Thursday, 42-year-old economist Tansakun reiterated that it was essential for MFP to secure the post of House Speaker. Leading the legislative branch was necessary for the party to advance 45 draft bills and other bills proposed by coalition partners during their election campaigns, she stated.

If the MFP were to take the position of House Speaker, Tansakun said she was confident that the party would be able to pursue its agenda of amending the constitution. This would create a path for drafting a new and properly democratic constitution, an item of high importance in the parties' memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MFP and its seven allies—Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Peu Thai Rumphalang parties—signed the MoU on Monday as a guideline for the policies of the government they plan to form together.

Explaining the importance of the House Speaker's role in overseeing House meetings and setting the agenda, Tansakun emphasised that the MFP needed to control the post if they wanted to push their legislative initiatives and follow through on their campaign promises.

Tansakun dismissed speculation that the disagreement over the post of the speaker might lead to the Pheu Thai Party's withdrawal from the coalition. She expressed her belief that the second-largest party recognised the importance of not extinguishing people's hopes for the new administration.

She assured reporters that her party would not betray any of its partners and emphasised a willingness to discuss all issues of concern.

In response to Tansakun's comments on Tuesday, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, the secretary-general of the Progressive Movement and a key strategist in the election campaign, stated that the MFP "cannot afford to lose" the post of House Speaker. He insisted on Facebook that, although compromises were desirable in a coalition government, the MFP should not consider giving the House Speaker role away.

Feeling the pressure

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew criticised Piyabutr's remarks, accusing him of attempting to pressure prospective coalition partners. Pheu Thai MP-elect Adisorn Piangket argued that his party should have the speakership due to the greater number of suitable candidates within the Pheu Thai Party compared to the MFP.

An anonymous source in the Pheu Thai Party disclosed that Dr Cholnan, Suchart Tancharoen, and Wisut Chainaroon were being considered as potential candidates for the post due to their deep understanding of parliamentary procedures.

Prasert Chantararuangthong, the Pheu Thai Party's secretary-general, reaffirmed on Thursday that the party supported MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister; however, the post of House Speaker was a separate matter. He also stated that the issue was not addressed in the MoU.

Chantararuangthong noted that if the MFP had won more than half of the 500 House seats in the election, there would be no debate over the speaker's post. However, Pheu Thai secured only ten fewer House seats than the MFP. Chantararuangthong called for discussions between all parties involved to resolve the differences over the issue.

He also suggested that Dr Cholnan, a six-time MP, would be a suitable candidate for the post due to his extensive knowledge of House regulations.

From 313 to 312 members, the size of the MFP-led coalition has decreased, according to the official results released by the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday. Following a recalculation, MFP's MP total has dropped from 152 to 151, adding an additional seat to the opposition Bhumjaithai Party's tally, raising it to 71.

Tansakun said she was not concerned about the change, but emphasised that the EC needed to endorse the poll results more quickly in order for the MFP and its partners to form the government. Under electoral law, the commission has until 13 July, or 60 days after polling day, to deliver its stamp of approval. However, prolonged uncertainty about the results could negatively affect the economy and confidence.

Tansakun anticipates that if there are no further issues, talks on forming the government with the prospective coalition parties will conclude within two weeks.

Widely expected to be named finance minister in the new administration, Tansakun told reporters that she is ready to take on the role if the party trusts her for the job.

LPN jittery over delays to new government

The prolonged process of establishing a new government may result in reduced confidence among financial institutions, potentially affecting the approval of home loans, according to SET-listed developer L.P.N. Development.

Varish Meemaun, financial and investor relations manager, suggested that the delay may have consequences for government budget spending, which could then impact the overall economic recovery in the second half.

"If banks lose confidence in issuing home loans or believe that the economic conditions have not adequately recovered to strengthen purchasing power, they may impose stricter loan approval criteria," he said.

This situation could potentially harm the company's revenue this year, potentially causing stagnation. Last year, the firm recorded 5.83 billion baht in revenue from residential sales, up from 4 billion in 2021.

Varish revealed that the company experienced a bank rejection rate of 30-40% in the first quarter of 2023, a figure viewed as standard for the business.

"In some projects, approximately one-third of buyers were unable to secure home loan approvals," he said. "Specifically, for projects like the low-priced condo Lumpini Township Rangsit-Klong 1, half of the buyers were faced with bank rejections."

He explained that a 1% increase in interest rates could result in an additional 500-1,000 baht per month in mortgage payments, potentially affecting the debt service ratio of buyers. Consequently, some buyers may fail to obtain home loan approvals due to this factor.

In the first quarter, LPN introduced three new high-priced, low-rise housing projects worth over 3.4 billion baht and recorded 2.7 billion baht in presales, representing 21% of the 2023 target of 13 billion baht.

The company has 4,000 unsold residential units ready to move in, with a total value of 8 billion baht.

The project with the longest duration, approximately five years, still has 20% of units unsold.

"Units completed 4-5 years ago are particularly appealing because their prices have remained lower compared to newly launched neighbouring projects, which have encountered increasing land costs," he said.

LPN's revenue from residential sales in the first quarter of 2023 fell 28% compared to the same period last year; however, revenue from the service business rose 31%, driven by security and engineering services and the expansion of project management to non-LPN developed projects.

"We have been consistently expanding our project management services to non-LPN projects for over six years, and this segment has continued to grow," Varish stated.

"One contributing factor is our new project launches have decreased in recent years."

LPN's market share in the condo segment is 5%, down from a peak of 10% several years ago. On the other hand, its market share in the low-rise housing segment has increased to 2% from none previously.

Rift over Speaker's job erupts

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is insisting that the position of House Speaker should be occupied by a member of their party despite reports that its potential coalition partner, Pheu Thai, desires the role. According to MFP spokesman Rangsiman Rome, who cites the party's Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon, it is customary for the election winner to assume the House Speaker role to manage legislative agendas. The MFP wishes to maintain this tradition.

Rangsiman declined to comment on whether potential coalition partners are negotiating for the position, stating that such matters should be addressed by Chaithawat, who is overseeing coalition discussions. Regarding the possibility of MFP Deputy Leader Nattawut Buaprathum being a candidate for the House speakership, Rangsiman mentioned that the party is yet to discuss eligible candidates.

The House Speaker is a highly significant political role, responsible for the oversight of House meetings and legislative agendas. If the MFP aims to advance its legislative initiatives and fulfil its campaign promises, it is crucial for them to secure this position.

On Wednesday, the MFP shared three agendas it plans to pursue on its Facebook page, stating that the party aims to assume the House Speaker role to execute these initiatives. These involve 45 draft laws the party promised during its election campaign, a charter rewrite included in the MoU, and introducing an "open parliament" to encourage transparency and public participation.

Cholnan Srikaew, leader of Pheu Thai, criticised remarks made by Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Progressive Movement Secretary-General and MFP election campaign assistant, accusing him of attempting to pressure prospective coalition partners. Piyabutr had posted on Facebook on Tuesday night about "the House speakership: the post the MFP can't afford to lose". He suggested that while compromises in coalition governments are important, the MFP should not agree to relinquishing the House speakership.

Cholnan did not comment on the potential candidates from MFP. The party is often considered lacking experience. A source within the Pheu Thai Party stated that negotiations regarding the House Speaker role were taking place since MFP candidates are likely to be rejected. Pheu Thai considered Cholnan, Suchart Tancharoen, and Wisut Chainaroon as candidates for the position.

Pheu Thai rebrand on cards after poll loss

The Pheu Thai Party plans to enhance its presence on social media for a better performance in future elections following its defeat to the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the May 14 polls. On Wednesday, the party organised a seminar attended by party executives and both winning and losing candidates to assess the post-election situation.

Party leader Cholnan Srikaew emphasised the importance of providing moral support to all candidates regardless of the election outcome. Though Pheu Thai placed second in the polls, behind MFP's 152 seats, it managed to secure an unofficial 141 seats in the House.

Cholnan announced that a working panel, led by key party member Noppadon Pattama, would be established to evaluate the election results. Additionally, each candidate will conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis to be discussed at future seminars. Cholnan maintained that the focus should be on accepting the truth, making necessary adjustments, and moving forward as a party.

Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, believes that the election results do not signify a disaster for the party. Instead, they serve as a driving force for its progress. Another PM candidate, Srettha Thavisin, mentioned that a working panel will be appointed to handle party rebranding.

When asked about any similarities with MFP's rebranding strategy, Cholnan stressed that the party's identity would be maintained without borrowing from others. He emphasised the need for synchronisation between the virtual and real worlds.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong acknowledged the impact of social media on swaying voters and reaching a broader audience. With over 50 million users in Thailand, the party intends to maximise its use in upcoming elections. Prasert noted that the election demonstrated the prevalence of democratic principles, with over 70% of voters favouring pro-democracy parties.

Prawit determined to stay on as PPRP leader

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has dismissed rumours that he will step down following the party's disappointing election result.

The deputy prime minister informed the media that he had not even considered the possibility of relinquishing the PPRP leadership or leaving politics.

"Oh. I haven't thought about it. You must ask those who made such analyses. Ask them. Where can I go if I quit?" he said at Government House on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting.

When questioned if he would leave politics, he said "no".

"I have been the PPRP leader and will remain in the position," he stated.

He also denied speculation that the PPRP would merge with the Pheu Thai Party.

"You ask me even though I have neither thought nor spoken about it. I haven't made any move," Gen Prawit said.

He declined to comment when reporters asked if such rumours were aimed at preventing his PPRP from forming a coalition government.

PPRP secretary-general Santi Prompat, the deputy finance minister, also dismissed the rumour of a merger with Pheu Thai.

Santi said it was "fake news" propagated by individuals with malicious intentions. PPRP did not have any plans to merge with Pheu Thai and provide the support it would need to form and lead a new coalition government.

"It is not possible," he claimed.

Pheu Thai unofficially won 141 House seats, coming in second after the Move Forward Party (MFP), which has the most MPs-elect, 152, in the May 14 general election. Bumjaithai secured third place with 70 seats, and the PPRP came in fourth with 40 seats.

Santi mentioned that the party has never planned to let its MPs-elect join the Pheu Thai Party.

"Gen Prawit remains the PPRP leader, and party members' faith in him is unchanged," Santi said.

However, when reporters asked whether the PPRP could partner with Pheu Thai if the MFP could not form a government, he said that could be a discussion for the future, but no one could demand the exclusion of Gen Prawit in exchange for a partnership.

Santi spoke to reporters amid reports that the PPRP had cancelled a planned press conference on Tuesday.

He said there was a misunderstanding, and the PPRP did not need to hold a press conference.

On Monday evening, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew also rejected the possibility his party could form the next government with the PPRP.

Coalition MoU could land MFP in hot water: activists

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and seven potential coalition partners may backfire on the MFP if it attempts to amend the lese majeste law, which is not included in the agreement, according to political activists.

The controversial section is thought to be a last-minute revision made before the MoU was signed by the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties. The section reads, "The missions of the MFP-led government must not act to change the democratic system with the King as the Head of State."

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a 32-year-old secretary-general of the Progressive Movement and the MFP's election campaign assistant, expressed his disagreement with this part in a Facebook post. He argued that it is already stipulated in the current constitution and therefore unnecessary. He also added that the portion seems like a disclaimer offered by parties concerned about potential future mistakes.

Another clause attached to the section that could be problematic for the MFP-led government states, "…with the King as head of state holding a revered status and who cannot be violated." According to Piyabutr, this clause could create legal obstacles if the MFP proposes to change Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

For the past decade, Piyabutr has shared his academic opinions through various public forums, advocating for a change to Section 6 of the constitution to align with the King's actual political power. However, he insists this is purely his personal opinion and is not related to the MFP.

Piyabutr also criticised the MFP's decision not to include their push for amnesty for political convicts and suspects in the MoU, choosing to leave the matter to parliament instead. He argued that the MFP has a responsibility to fulfil the wishes of many people and young individuals to end political conflicts resulting from previous coups.

Prayut allays fears over transfer of power

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha assured the nation of a seamless transition from the caretaker government to the new government on Tuesday, adding that adequate measures are being maintained to support the economy during the process.

"As the country will have to move forward, we have to continue working to take care of people while still waiting for the new government to come," Prayut said.

The Prime Minister also urged everyone to avoid spreading fear by creating alarming scenarios about the political situation that could distress the public.

"Please don't create more problems. I myself normally have no problem with any sides, and I do respect the [ongoing] democratic process," he said.

Regarding concerns over the need to keep driving the country's economy during the transition from the caretaker government to the new one, Prayut said sufficient measures are in place to support and drive economic growth.

When questioned about the recent substantial sell-off of Thailand's bonds by global funds due to concerns about the country's political uncertainties, he said it was impossible to stop those funds from selling Thailand's bonds.

However, Prayut stated that Thailand still has a strong financial status despite some political uncertainties, and everyone should collaborate to prevent them from escalating into more significant problems.

Prayut also expressed that the only thing he wishes to see happening is peace in the country, and as the caretaker prime minister, he will do his best to perform his duty until the new government assumes control.

When asked if he had recently discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon their political future, Prayut revealed he had not talked to Prawit about anything other than their remaining responsibilities as the caretaker cabinet.

As for an online movement where supporters of the Move Forward Party (MFP) are being encouraged to join a rally to pressure the Senate to support an MFP-led bid to form a new government, Prayut said the security authorities would ensure any rally stays within the boundaries of the law.

Senators still unsure about backing Pita

A majority of senators have not yet decided whether they will support the Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, for the prime minister position, as stated by the candid senator Wanchai Sornsiri.

He mentioned that senators shared their opinions on the matter last Friday, but these views do not represent their final decision or indicate their voting intentions.

Senators have three options - vote for Pita, not vote for him, or abstain from voting - but it is hard to determine what the majority will choose, and several are not expected to make a decision until the day of voting, he said.

Wanchai also reiterated his stance that he will vote for the prime ministerial candidate nominated by a coalition that manages to secure over 250 House seats.

The MFP-led bloc, consisting of eight political parties and 313 House seats, requires at least 376 votes in the 750-seat parliament, which is made up of 500 MPs and 250 senators, to support Pita's bid for prime minister.

Wanchai believes that the Senate is unlikely to consider the allegations against Pita concerning his ownership of shares in iTV when they cast their votes, as the issue should be left to the relevant authorities.

A candidate is constitutionally prohibited from participating in an election if they own shares in a media company.

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has requested the Election Commission to investigate Pita, alleging that the MFP leader owns 42,000 shares in iTV.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha confirmed on Tuesday that he would not vote for Pita due to his disagreement with the MFP's highly controversial policy to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam stated on Tuesday that the current Senate's five-year term expires on May 11 next year and that it can no longer participate in the prime ministerial vote. However, it will continue in its caretaker capacity.

New cabinet in place by 2nd week of August

The new cabinet is anticipated to be established by the second week of August, according to acting government spokesperson, Anucha Burapachaisri.

Burapachaisri reported that during Tuesday's cabinet meeting, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam provided a provisional timeline for the new cabinet to assume office:

• The Election Commission declares the official election results on July 13, 60 days after the May 14 general election.

• The final day for new MPs to report to parliament is set for July 20.

• Parliament holds its inaugural meeting on July 25.

• In the first week of August, a joint session of parliament takes place to elect the prime minister.

• The new cabinet is appointed in the second week of August, followed by the swearing of allegiance before His Majesty the King.

• The caretaker cabinet's tenure concludes in mid-August.

No merger

Santi Prompat, secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and caretaker deputy minister of finance, has denied rumours of a merger with Pheu Thai. He also stated that General Prawit Wongsuwon remains the PPRP's leader. There were reports in Thai media suggesting that the PPRP might merge with Pheu Thai, which would provide the latter the numbers necessary to form and lead the new coalition government. Both Prawit and Santi dismissed these speculations as "fake news" spread by individuals with malicious intent.

Pheu Thai won 141 House seats, coming in second, after the May 14 general election. The PPRP secured fourth place with 40 seats. The Move Forward Party (MFP) claimed the most seats, with 152 MPs-elect, while Bumjaithai came in third with 70 seats, but is currently not in the MFP coalition.

Santi stated that Prawit's leadership within the PPRP remains unchallenged by its party members. Nonetheless, when questioned whether the PPRP could collaborate with Pheu Thai if the Move Forward Party fails to form the new government, Santi hinted that it could be a possibility in the future, without excluding Prawit in exchange for a partnership.

General Prawit reaffirmed his position as PPRP leader and denied any plans to resign from politics. Pheu Thai leader, Cholnan Srikaew, also dismissed the possibility of forming the next government with the PPRP. Pheu Thai is among the seven political parties supporting an MFP-led coalition with the MFP leader as the next prime minister.

Dems to lay out new leader election rules

The Democrat Party is set to meet on Wednesday to issue guidelines for electing a new leader, with speculation pointing towards either the party's former leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, or Watanya Bunnag, chief of the party's working group on political innovations, as potential candidates.

Ramet Rattanachaweng, party spokesman, announced on Monday that the caretaker executive panel would assemble on Wednesday to establish guidelines for seeking a new leader and naming a new board, following Jurin Laksanawisit's resignation as leader due to the party's overwhelming election defeat. The resignation of a leader automatically dissolves the board.

"In the meeting, everyone has the right to nominate anyone as party leader. Whoever is talented and competent can also nominate themselves," Rattanachaweng stated. "Despite its defeat, it doesn't mean the end of the party. The party has been running for 77 years. With all the things the party has done, we cannot quit political activities."

When asked if the Democrats were prepared to be an opposition party, Rattanachaweng said the 24 Democrat MPs elected on May 14 will carry out the duties entrusted to them by voters, including driving policies and fulfilling legislative responsibilities. "Working with other opposition parties is about the future, but it doesn't mean we need to unify with all of them," he mentioned.

He went on to say that the new panel would be assessing changes in political trends in each constituency and examining vote-buying issues allegedly rampant in numerous provinces, particularly in the South, which serves as the party's primary stronghold.

Furthermore, he stated the party would evaluate its election performance after securing 24 seats, a significant decrease from the 53 it claimed in previous polls. "We will also look at strategies for future elections," Rattanachaweng added.

He asserted that the party was confident that none of its candidates committed electoral fraud. The Democrats have vowed to take immediate action against any member found by the Election Commission to have participated in irregularities, as no one is above the law.

In the meantime, a party source revealed that several of the party's newly elected MPs based in the South believe that Watanya, 38 years old, should assume the role of the next leader, as she possesses the necessary qualities to modernise the country's oldest political party.

'No changes' so far to UTN Party leadership

Members of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party dismissed rumours on Monday that they were considering replacing their leader, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga. They stated that there is no need to change the party leader at the moment, as the new party is off to a good start and will continue to improve in order to win public support.

The deputy party leader, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, and the party secretary-general, Akanat Promphan, both insisted that the UTN will not change its leader or secretary-general at the present time.

General Prayut Chan-o-cha will also continue in his roles as party chief strategist and prime ministerial candidate, despite the UTN's apparent inability to compete with other parties that have far more House seats, to form a coalition government.

However, the party maintains a clear stance against any intentions to amend or abolish the lese majeste law, meaning it will never vote for a prime minister candidate who aims to alter the law.

Thanakorn neither confirmed nor denied rumours concerning General Prayut potentially leaving the UTN after the party failed to secure enough House seats in the May 14 election to form a coalition. He stated that he has no idea about General Prayut's future in politics, adding that he and the majority of the party's parliament members have a great deal of respect for the prime minister and are willing to follow his lead.

Last week, Pirapan insisted in a social media post that General Prayut would continue to be with the party as its chief strategist.

Thanakorn mentioned that the party held its first meeting since the general election, in which they won 36 House seats. The meeting, chaired by Pirapan, saw the 36 newly-elected MPs discussing the party's strengths and weaknesses at the polls.

One lesson learned from the experience was that the UTN aims to involve people of all age groups and utilise social media more effectively. Upon being asked if the party would rebrand itself to potentially become more favourable among voters, Thanakorn responded that rebranding the party is not a bad idea.

Coalition hopefuls unveil pact

The Move Forward Party (MFP) has assured that its government's policies will not undermine the country's constitutional monarchy. Nonetheless, party leader Pita Limjaroenrat announced on Monday that efforts to amend the lese majeste law would proceed, but the party would undertake this task alone.

An eight-party alliance led by the MFP signed a pact outlining the working agenda for the proposed coalition government. This 23-point memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties, did not include the amendment of Section 112, known as the lese majeste law.

Key items in the MoU include a charter rewrite, reintroducing cannabis as a narcotic drug, replacing military conscription with voluntary recruitment, and pushing for a same-sex marriage law without forcing compliance from those who view it as against their religion.

As Pita announced the completion of their agreement, he described it as a historic day, marking a peaceful transition in Thai politics. The signing was timed to coincide with the ninth anniversary of the May 22, 2014, coup.

"The purpose of the MoU is to gather common agendas to push through government and parliament. It's our collective responsibility," Pita said at the press conference.

Pita emphasised that all parties agreed that the coalition members' core policies must not affect the democratic system with the king as head of state, and the king's revered status cannot be violated.

The eight parties, holding 313 House seats, convened for two hours at the Conrad Bangkok before the MoU signing ceremony, which was scheduled for 4.30pm.

A source close to the discussions revealed that the MoU was revised following requests from coalition partners, including Pheu Thai. This revision added the phrase, "the missions of the MFP-led government must not affect the democratic system with the king as head of state and the revered status of the king, who cannot be violated."

The signed MoU reportedly differed slightly from the version seen by the media. The item on "administration of justice for cases involving expressions of political views" was removed.

Pita stated that the draft lese majeste law, submitted to the House in February 2021, would be pushed by the party, and he anticipated its passage.

He noted that under the MoU, coalition partners can pursue their own agendas as long as they do not contradict the MoU, and the MFP will continue to advance all policies it campaigned on.

Pita dismissed speculation that he would not receive support from senators, assuring that working teams would hold talks with the Senate to address any concerns senators might have about the MFP's plans.

Pita also brushed off rumours that Pheu Thai was in talks with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to form a rival coalition, asserting that the eight parties in the current alliance were solid.

He further stated that discussions regarding the allocation of cabinet portfolios and the House speaker post were premature, following reports that he would oversee the Defence Ministry.

Meanwhile, Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University, declared that the MoU would be unnecessary if the MFP-led coalition did not need votes from the Senate or if Pita did not face scrutiny over his qualifications.

"The MoU is something new. It is a written agreement to prevent betrayal. It's a political tactic. As for policies, they can say what they want. But the signing of the MoU is to give the MFP confidence," he explained.

Political uncertainty taking toll on bourse

Last week, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index experienced a 3% loss, and analysts predict that it may continue its downward trend due to ongoing concerns and fiscal uncertainties after the general election.

In early morning trading on Monday, the SET index dropped 24 points to go below 1,500 points. This occurred despite optimism surrounding US-China relations and regional stock market rallies. However, Thai shares managed to recover and ended up in the green by midday, eventually closing at 1,529.24 points on Monday, an increase of 0.95%, in trade worth 55.5 billion baht.

"Thailand has underperformed other Asian stocks so far, primarily due to political uncertainties. The MSCI-ex Japan index has gained 2% this year to date, while Thai shares have lost 9% during the same period," stated Nattapol Kamthakrua, 37 years old, director of the securities analysis department at Yuanta Securities (Thailand).

He explained that Thai shares have been sold largely because of concerns that the new coalition government's policies would impact the profit-making abilities of listed companies. "Election rallies have been delayed, and I believe we must wait until the new prime minister's name is revealed for Thai shares to make significant gains and rebound."

Globlex Securities observed that investors were buying back Thai shares after their valuation fell between 14.5-15.0 times in morning trade. Speculative buying pushed the index to close 0.15% higher by the time of the lunch break, as the Market Forward Party-led coalition parties were expected to announce their memorandum of understanding later in the day.

KGI Securities mentioned in their research on Monday that they believe foreign outflows will likely persist, especially considering the renewed policy uncertainties from the US Federal Reserve and news of stalled debt ceiling negotiations in the US.

"We believe Thai political uncertainties will continue until the opening of the parliamentary session, which should be in early June," the research noted.

Additionally, Fitch Ratings stated that a "broad, fragmented coalition government might emerge" after the election, potentially causing complications for effective policymaking. "The fiscal policy outlook is uncertain. There could be some disruption to spending under the budget for the fiscal year ending September 2024 if the coalition negotiations drag on," the credit rating agency said.

While delays to the 2024 fiscal year budget might negatively impact the country's economic outlook, Fitch Ratings anticipated growth to increase in 2023 and remain strong in 2024. They based this assumption on the recovery of the tourism sector and private consumption as the primary drivers. However, it was also mentioned that the upcoming coalition government is expected to maintain some of the previous administration's key policies.

Deal sealed

The Move Forward Party (MFP) and its seven coalition allies signed an agreement outlining an extensive reform plan while pledging to uphold the constitutional monarchy. The eight parties committed to this promise in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) they signed recently as a guideline for future government policies.

MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat assured that the new government's action plan would not impact the constitutional monarchy nor the monarch's revered and inviolable status. It has been reported that the seven coalition allies persuaded the MFP to include the monarchy protection element in the MoU prior to its announcement. MFP has faced criticism for expressing its intention to amend the lese majeste law, with some claiming the party ultimately intends to revoke it.

The other seven parties that signed the MoU were Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai, and Peu Thai Rumphlang. The coalition's agreement sets forth an ambitious and comprehensive agenda for reform. Key points include the drafting of a new constitution, reform of the bureaucracy, police, armed forces and the justice system, and the introduction of a same-sex marriage law with religious exemptions.

Additionally, the coalition plans to promote sustainable peace in southern border provinces, tackle economic problems, terminate monopolies in all industries, implement fair land ownership rules, and restructure power tariffs to reduce living costs. Other initiatives include zero-based budgeting, public welfare, anti-corruption measures and a focus on solving problems related to ultra-fine dust (PM2.5) and greenhouse gases.

Upon announcing the MoU, MFP leader Pita stated that his party would later propose to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code (the lese majeste law) and that such amendment would not negatively impact the MoU or the monarch's status.

Policy details

The draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and its seven coalition partners does not feature changes to the lese majeste law but covers amendments to the constitution, ending the monopoly on alcoholic beverage production, and reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic.

A source from the MFP disclosed a copy of the draft MoU, which the eight political parties planned to sign yesterday evening.

According to the draft, a new constitution will be created as soon as possible by directly elected representatives.

The eight parties intend to pass a same-sex marriage law, which, however, will not require compliance from individuals who oppose it on religious grounds.

The parties will advocate for the reform of bureaucracy, the police, the armed forces, and the justice system.

The mandatory military conscription will be replaced with voluntary recruitment.

The parties will promote sustainable peace in southern border provinces, resolve economic issues by raising people's income, decentralise budgetary authority to local administrations, and improve the financial liquidity of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The eight parties will abolish monopolies in all industries, including alcoholic drinks, restructure power tariffs to reduce living costs, and promote fair land ownership.

They will employ zero-based budgeting, offer public welfare for individuals of all ages, and quickly address narcotics.

The reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic will be pushed for, with the introduction of a law regulating its use.

Support will be offered to farmers in organising groups to better protect their interests, promote sustainable fisheries, enhance workers' rights, and improve the education system.

The parties will also tackle issues relating to ultra-fine dust and greenhouse gases, promote the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and maintain the country's balanced stance with global powers.

In addressing corruption, the eight parties will agree to disclose the information of all government organisations and expel any party members found engaging in corrupt activities.

The eight parties expected to sign the MoU are MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai, and Peu Thai Rumphlang.

Khunying Porntip issues stern warning to Pita

The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) plans to stage a rally in front of the parliament in the Kiak Kai area on Tuesday to push for the election of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. However, such efforts may risk backfiring, and Porntip Rojanasunan, a senator, has warned that Limjaroenrat may have to face the consequences. In a Sunday post on Instagram, Porntip voiced her opinions as a former state official, a senator, and a Thai citizen.

According to Porntip, despite the fact that many of Move Forward's policies, presented before the election, seemed agreeable should they actually be implemented, the UFTD's planned rally in support of Limjaroenrat is concerning. This is due to the group having previously aired 10 demands during an event at Thammasat University's Rangsit campus on August 10, 2020, which revealed their hostility towards the monarchy. Porntip states that the scheduled rally on Tuesday suggests that the individuals behind the UFTD intend to crush the sentiments of Thais who are devoted to the royal institution. "Do not underestimate the power of people who can come out to protect the royal institution," she cautions.

Porntip contends that the Move Forward Party might secure an electoral win, but it cannot claim to represent the majority of Thai citizens. She further argues that it is not the senators who would prevent Limjaroenrat from becoming prime minister, but rather the anti-monarchy forces that support him.

Analysts concerned delay could hamper GDP, stocks

Market analysts have expressed concerns about Thailand's post-election political situation, suggesting a delay in forming a new government could impact the nation's GDP and prompt foreign investors to continue offloading Thai shares.

Sorrabhol Virametekul, senior vice-president of Kasikorn Securities, highlighted the uncertainty of whether the Move Forward Party (MFP) can gather sufficient support from other parties and senators to secure the 376 votes required for MFP leader Pita Limcharoenrat, 47 years old, to become the next prime minister. If the MFP fails to attain enough support, the Pheu Thai Party, which gained the second-highest number of votes in the May 14 election, would take the lead in forming a government.

Since May 16, foreign investors have sold Thai stocks and bonds worth a combined US$25 billion in light of the uncertainty surrounding Thai politics.

The earliest the House of Representatives can hold a meeting is in August, assuming the winning parties obtain 376 votes.

"A delay in establishing a new government until October will decrease GDP by 0.1% this year," he said.

If the MFP forms a new government, concerns for SET50 big-cap stocks would arise, including those involved in power generation and telecom who fear their concessions might be reviewed.

"The worst-case scenario would be if street protests happened. If so, foreigners would lose confidence about investment in Thailand," Sorrabhol added.

Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, executive vice-president of Asia Plus Securities, noted that Thailand has a relatively high level of public debt, accounting for 61% of GDP, while economic growth stands at around 5% on average compared to growth of 7-10% a decade ago.

Most political parties, particularly those set to form the new government, have proposed policies requiring significant budgets.

"If their plans to generate more revenue are unclear, it will cause further weakness in terms of the country's fiscal status," he stated. "I want to see policies that make the country economically stable in the long term and help people have a reliable income. Those could include investing in infrastructure and logistics, which are the basis for increasing economic and social prosperity in a sustainable manner and are cost-effective in terms of budget."

Investors should keep an eye on the progress of the memorandum of understanding scheduled to be signed between the MFP and other parties, especially the Pheu Thai Party.

Leading the economy

Business leaders are urging the new government to select appropriate economic ministers, especially for the Finance Ministry, as they hope to see the country advance without interruption amid several internal and external challenges.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) claimed victory in last week's election and announced forming an eight-party alliance. The leaders of the eight parties are drafting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to outline guidelines for their collaboration and address national, political, economic, and social crises. Details of the MoU are scheduled to be revealed on May 22, marking the ninth anniversary of the 2014 military coup.

Due to local and global economic uncertainties, attention is on the appointment of economic ministers. The MFP's seven economic team members consist of a mixture of experienced and younger scholars, officials, and entrepreneurs.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) desires a competent economic team and coalition government that can establish collaboration with other state and private agencies. Creating teamwork and communication with key business groups and ministries remains essential for converting economic policies into action.

The new administration will face many economic challenges, such as high energy prices, global slowdowns, and the economic impact of geopolitical conflicts. Moreover, Thailand has lost its competitiveness, as the nation's economic growth rate has fallen for the past two decades.

New government policies will need to consider the changing world, address issues such as rising minimum wages, and focus on improving the agricultural sector.

The private sector anticipates that a new administration and policy change will continue the country's momentum without faltering. The new economic ministers should have solid knowledge and expertise to facilitate the Thai economy's advancement on the appropriate path without interruption due to recession risks from outside Thailand.

When it comes to qualifications for new ministers, such as tourism and sports minister, experience or age may be irrelevant as long as they have core competencies such as coordinating skills, liaising with stakeholders including the private sector, and working to materialize those discussions into practice.

The policies of both the MFP and Pheu Thai Party primarily focus on solving problems for all generations of people. Both parties emphasise the use of information technology and digital technology, enhancing competitiveness and utilising technology to improve educational quality and human resources, while also modernising the government.

However, the MFP's commitments might negatively impact specific business groups, including the energy, electricity, oil, and liquor industries. At the same time, both leading parties seem to focus less on stimulating the international economy.

A matter of survival

The surprising victory of the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the May 14 election, with the Pheu Thai Party coming second, sparks discussions among academics regarding the future of Thai politics and whether this signal the decline of the Pheu Thai Party. The MFP's victory is expected to change the political landscape, but challenges lie ahead for the party, particularly implementing military reform, as it is likely to face resistance from the military and civil service establishments.

The MFP-led coalition now comprises 313 MPs, but needs at least 376 votes to secure the prime minister role for its leader, Pita Limcharoenrat. Currently, an MoU is being worked on to act as a guideline for the coalition to address various national, political, economic, and social crises. Details of the MoU are set to be revealed today.

Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political science lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, observed a demographic shift in Thai politics, as a new generation, referred to as Generation Z, has started actively participating in society and politics. According to Yutthaporn, if the Pheu Thai Party fails to adapt to the new political landscape, it may face a decline in popularity.

Although the MFP's victory signals a change, Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University, mentioned that conventional politics and practices will not disappear overnight. However, he acknowledged that the MFP offers a much-needed change that the Thai population eagerly embraces.

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at the King Prajadhipok's Institute, stated that the MFP's election win indicates that voters prefer liberal-minded politicians. Pheu Thai must adapt if it wants to survive in politics, Stithorn suggested. He also highlighted the potential for the MFP-led coalition to focus on a new set of political ideologies, moving away from money politics, cash handouts, and the patronage system.

MFP, allies to sign deal

Eight prospective coalition parties are set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) today. The contentious subject of revising Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which is a key pledge of the Move Forward Party (MFP), is not expected to be included in the MoU.

The parties that are part of the MFP coalition will gather at the Conrad Bangkok Hotel today to sign the MoU, according to a source. The eight parties include the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties.

An MFP source revealed that issues related to Section 112, also known as the lese majeste law, will not be included in the MoU because the party's coalition partners remain divided on the issue. Therefore, the MFP wants the matter to be discussed in parliament at a later stage. The amendment of Section 112 will also be excluded from the MFP's action plan in its first 100 days in office if the party forms the government. The MFP does not view the law as a time-sensitive issue, as it requires careful consideration.

The MFP-led bloc has a combined 313 Members of Parliament (MPs) in its ranks. All prospective coalition partners have agreed to support MFP leader Pita Limcharoenrat as the next prime minister after the MFP won the most seats in the May 14 election. The MoU will provide guidelines for collaboration among coalition partners and address national, political, economic, and social crises.

MFP's secretary-general, Chaithawat Tulanon, said yesterday that the MoU would contain not only the MFP's agenda but also that of other parties, including peace-making in the southern border provinces. Several coalition partners have expressed concerns about the progressive agenda of the MFP, including the Prachachart Party, which will have a challenging time justifying the partnership to its supporters, who are primarily Muslims.

The MFP-led bloc continues to plan for the formation of the next government, with the support of 313 MPs under its leadership. Under the current constitution, senators hold the power to join MPs in selecting the next prime minister. Many senators have requested the details of the MoU before today's press conference.

When asked about the MoU to be signed by prospective coalition partners, Pita expressed confidence, stating, "All is well. There should be no problem." Prasert Chantararuangthong, Pheu Thai's secretary-general, suggested that the MFP should reconsider its plan to include the proposal to amend Section 112 in the MoU.

EC looking into Pita's shareholdings

The Election Commission is anticipated to rule on whether Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was eligible to run for election, due to his ownership of shares in a media company.

A rival lawmaker claimed the shares were not declared to the authorities before Pita was sworn in as an MP in the 2019 election.

A source reported that the commission is currently examining a petition filed by Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP, who reported Pita to the poll agency for not declaring his ownership of 42,000 shares in iTV, a registered media company, to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) before he took office as an MP in 2019. The shares are valued at five baht apiece.

The petition also queried whether the registration of MFP's MP candidates in all 400 constituencies could be declared invalid if Pita, who approved their registrations, is disqualified over the iTV shareholding issue.

Pita had previously stated that he does not own the shares, as he inherited them from his father. The shares were listed under his name as he was appointed the executor of his late father's estate. He had explained the matter to the poll body before he was sworn in.

The law prohibits shareholders in media firms from becoming MPs.

Ruangkrai claimed that even though iTV has ceased operations, it retains its function as a media company.

An EC source stated that the commission could not invoke the organic law on the election of MPs in Pita's case, as section 61 of the law states the EC could only remove an individual as an MP candidate before an election ends.

Now that the election has concluded, the EC has no legal basis to remove a candidate or MP-elect, according to the source.

Moreover, section 82 of the constitution states that the EC could strip anyone of their status as MP only after their case has been referred to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.

Since Pita has not been officially endorsed as an MP following the latest election, the commission must wait until after it has confirmed Pita before it can apply the section, according to the source.

Additionally, Ruangkrai stated that he will submit further documents to support his report on Wednesday, hoping to make the allegations watertight.

He revealed that two sets of documents will be presented to the EC - the list of iTV shareholders since 2006 and flowcharts showing iTV's earnings from 2006 until last year. According to Ruangkrai, Pita had acquired the shares in question in 2008.

"With the additional evidence, the EC should be able to pick up the pace of its investigation and refer the Pita case to the court," he said.

Rally against senators planned for May 23

A rally is scheduled for May 23 in front of Parliament in Bangkok's Kiak Kai area, aiming to pressure the 250 members of the Senate not to vote against the public's desire for the Move Forward Party to form a government with Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister.

The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) announced the planned rally on its Facebook page on Sunday. The UFTD stated: "An election is an important tool to reflect the people's need and intention. When the people have voiced their need to see change, things should go in that direction under the democratic principle. However, the 2017 constitution grants the 250 senators the right to vote in electing the prime minister, even though they have no connection to the people."

"No matter how much this election has demonstrated the people's true intention, some senators have shown disagreement with the democratic principle. They stand ready to vote against the wishes of the elected representatives of the people and to obstruct any change which may occur," the UFTD said in the Facebook post. The UFTD asked those who are "genuine holders of sovereign power" to rally in front of Parliament in Kiak Kai on May 23 from 5pm to call for the senators not to vote against the people's wishes. "The people's victory must not be ruined by the senators," it said.

In a related development, a group of individuals claiming to want to protect the monarchy assembled in front of the Chao Phrom market in Muang district, Ayutthaya province, on Sunday morning. They were led by a woman named Kalayani Juprang, also known as "Auntie Ayutthaya." The group displayed banners opposing any attempts to alter or abolish Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, and marched along Naresuan road around the market.

Some residents in the Chao Phrom market area came out to oppose the group's activity, resulting in both sides verbally attacking each other. Police, both plainclothed and uniformed, intervened to prevent any clashes. Kalayani called for people in Ayutthaya and nearby provinces to protect the monarchy, as the Move Forward Party had a clear intention to amend Section 112. She said she agreed that the Move Forward Party had the legitimacy to form the core of a coalition government, but its policy that could lead to the abolition of Section 112 was unacceptable. Kalayani and her group dispersed after approximately 40 minutes.

Still haggling

The Move Forward Party (MFP) and potential coalition partners are yet to agree on the terms of a memorandum of understanding, which was expected to be announced today, according to a senior MFP official. Meanwhile, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has denied that he would meet representatives of previous government parties in Hong Kong.

MFP Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulanon mentioned on Sunday that meetings are being held with representatives of each potential coalition party separately to discuss the terms of the memorandum. "The political parties still have different opinions... They will work out joint agreements before the press conference tomorrow," Chaithawat said.

The MoU would include not only the MFP's agenda but also the agendas of other parties. One key issue is peace-making in three southern border provinces. On May 17, the Prachachart Party leader inquired about MFP's proposal to end barriers to competition in the market for alcoholic beverages. MFP clarified that it would not encourage alcohol consumption but simply aimed to end the monopoly in alcohol production. Additionally, MFP wants to legalise same-sex marriage in support of social diversity.

Chaithawat also revealed that the MFP and seven other parties planned to form the next government with 313 House MPs. "The number of House votes should be enough. Talks with senators are underway," Chaithawat said, referring to the unelected senators' power to join House representatives in the vote for the next prime minister, as outlined in the junta-scripted constitution.

MFP will need at least 376 votes (half the total of the 500 House representatives and 250 senators) in the joint sitting. MFP is attempting to woo some of the senators to back its leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the next prime minister. Chaithawat confirmed that many senators have requested the details of the MoU before today's press conference.

While these discussions unfold, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra took to Twitter, denying speculation about his planned meeting with representatives of previous government parties in Hong Kong. Thaksin stated that he is still in Dubai and will travel "late tomorrow night," adding that he does not plan to visit Hong Kong. This message followed a post by Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who mentioned that his family is on holiday in Hong Kong. Anutin serves as the current deputy prime minister and public health minister. His Bhumjaithai Party won the third most House MPs in the May 14 general election.

Conflict or coup?

Conflict and another coup might occur if the Move Forward Party (MFP) fails to form a coalition government, an academic has warned.

Phichai: Pita, MFP have legitimacy

The military, however, has given assurances that it will do its best to maintain order and has ruled out the possibility of another coup.

Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, programme director for politics and development strategy at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), posted on Facebook that the MFP-led coalition, with a combined 313 MPs, will form the new government if it can secure the support of at least 66 senators.

Phichai added that MFP has the legitimacy to form a government and its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, is a prime candidate for Prime Minister, with the backing of voters and international recognition. Phichai stated that with MFP leading the government, stability will return to politics, democracy will thrive, the economy will improve, and Thailand will be respected by other countries.

However, Phichai warned that if the MFP fails to form a coalition government due to senators refusing to vote for Pita, the country will face instability as it will be plagued by division and conflict, leading to an economic downturn and a negative image in the eyes of other countries.

Phichai also noted that if the Pheu Thai Party becomes the leader in forming a government and nominates its prime ministerial candidate, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, for a Parliamentary vote, there is no guarantee the senators will support her. Furthermore, Pheu Thai may struggle to bring the Palang Pracharath and Bhumjaithai parties into a coalition, as it will face opposition from red-shirt groups.

Divisions and conflict could potentially trigger a coup, with the military intervening to assume power, sending the country into a downward spiral.

Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political science lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said the MFP's supporters, particularly those on social media, have a significant influence on the party's decision-making process. Yutthaporn added that if the MFP insists on revising the lese-majeste law, they must confront opposing senators and parties, while backing down from the move would antagonise their own online supporters.

Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, which is part of the MFP-led coalition bloc, expressed concerns on Saturday that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) drafted by the MFP imposes too many obligations on coalition partners. The coalition is working on the MoU, addressing national, political, economic, and social crises, and will reveal its details tomorrow.

Sereepisuth mentioned that there are too many details concerning military reform and the MFP is trying to obligate coalition partners to agree on issues raised by the MFP, although the issue related to Section 112 is not included in the MoU.

Meanwhile, an army source claimed that another coup is unlikely even if the MFP is thwarted in its quest to form a government, which could ignite street protests from its supporters. The source also noted that it remains to be seen how the military will maintain order without staging a coup. Army chief Gen Narongpan Jittkaewtae previously provided assurances that no coups will take place while he is in charge, saying the chance of a coup is zero, and the word "coup" should not exist.

Most people satisfied with election results: poll

A majority of individuals are content with the overall election results, expressing their intentions to vote similarly if a new election were to occur, as revealed by an opinion survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll).

The poll took place from May 16 to 18 through telephone interviews, including 1,310 individuals who were 18 years old and above, from a variety of education levels, occupations, and income brackets across the country. When questioned about their satisfaction with the election outcomes in their respective constituencies, 59.08% expressed being very satisfied, 26.87% were fairly satisfied, 8.86% were quite unsatisfied, and 5.19% were very unsatisfied. Regarding their overall satisfaction with the nationwide election results, 59.39% were very satisfied, 30.07% were fairly satisfied, 6.95% were quite unsatisfied, and 3.59% were very unsatisfied.

When asked about their voting preference if a new election were held, 86.49% indicated they would still vote the same way in both the constituency and party-list systems, while 6.03% mentioned they would change their vote for both systems. Meanwhile, 3.13% stated they would maintain their previous vote in the constituency system alone, 2.37% said they would not participate in the polls, and 1.98% would stick to their prior voting decision in the party-list system alone.

Most people satisfied with election results: Nida Poll

A majority of individuals are content with the overall election results, expressing they would vote similarly in a new election to how they did on May 14, based on a recent opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll).

The survey took place from May 16 to May 18, with 1,310 participants over the age of 18 from various educational backgrounds, occupations, and income levels throughout the country. When asked about their satisfaction with the election results in their constituencies, 59.08% were very satisfied; 26.87% were fairly satisfied; 8.86% were quite unsatisfied; and 5.19% were very unsatisfied. In regards to their satisfaction with the general election results nationwide, 59.39% were very satisfied; 30.07% were fairly satisfied; 6.95% were quite unsatisfied; and 3.59% were very unsatisfied.

Additionally, when questioned about how they would cast their votes if a new election took place, 86.49% expressed they would vote in the same manner for both the constituency and party-list systems; 6.03% would vote differently in both systems; 3.13% would maintain their previous votes in only the constituency system; 2.37% would abstain from voting altogether; and 1.98% would vote the same as before in just the party-list system.

Conflict or coup

Conflict and another coup may arise if the Move Forward Party (MFP) fails to form a coalition government, an academic has warned.

Phichai: Pita, MFP have legitimacy

The military has given assurances that it will do its best to maintain order and ruled out the possibility of another coup.

On Saturday, Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, a programme director for politics and development strategy at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), presented possible scenarios for what would happen if the MFP is able to form a government and what would happen if the party fails to do so, in a Facebook post.

The MFP-led coalition, which now comprises 313 MPs, will form the new government if it can secure the support of at least 66 senators, he said.

He stated that the MFP has the legitimacy to form a government and that its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, stands out among other prime ministerial candidates as he has the backing of voters and has gained international recognition.

"With the MFP leading the government, politics will stabilise while democracy will thrive, and the economy will move forward. Thailand will be held in high esteem by other countries," he said.

However, if the MFP fails in forming a coalition government because the senators do not vote for Pita to be prime minister, the country will lack stability as it will be rocked by division and conflict, leading to an economic downturn and a bad image in the eyes of other countries.

If the Pheu Thai Party becomes the leader in forming a government and nominates its prime ministerial candidate, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, for a PM vote in parliament, there is no guarantee the senators will vote in her favour.

Furthermore, Pheu Thai may not be able to bring the Palang Pracharath and Bhumjaithai parties into its coalition, because it will face resistance from red-shirt groups.

Division and conflict could prompt a coup, allowing the military to step in and assume power, sending the country into a downward spiral.

Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political science lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, mentioned that the MFP's supporters, particularly those on social media, wield a great deal of influence on the party's decision making.

"The MFP must yield to the demands of its supporters. On the issue relating to Section 112 [the lese majeste law], if the MFP insists on revising the law, it must face the senators and parties that oppose the bid. But if the party backs down from the move, it will have to face its own supporters online," he said.

Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party – part of the MFP-led coalition bloc – said on Saturday that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) drafted by the MFP imposes too many obligations on coalition partners.

The coalition is working on an MoU that will outline guidelines for its collaboration and address national, political, economic, and social crises. Details of the MoU will be unveiled tomorrow.

"There are too many details regarding issues like military reform. It seems the MFP is trying to obligate coalition partners to agree on points raised by the MFP," he said.

"But the issue related to Section 112 is not included in the MoU," he added.

Meanwhile, an army source stated that another coup is unlikely even if the MFP is frustrated in its attempt to form a government, which could spark street protests from its supporters.

"In the past, a coup could take place under such circumstances. But now, a coup is unlikely. However, it remains to be seen how the military will maintain order without staging a coup," the source said.

Army chief Gen Narongpan Jittkaewtae previously assured that no coups would take place while he is in charge, stating that the chance of a coup is zero. He said the word "coup" should not exist in anyone's vocabulary.

iLaw addresses Election Day complaints

Restrictions on photographing ballot counting at polling stations on Election Day were the primary concern among the complaints filed with the Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw).

iLaw, along with other watchdog groups such as Vote62, Rocket Media Lab and Opendream, held a press conference on Saturday to present their observations about the May 14 general election.

Anon Chawalawan, representing iLaw, said the observations focused on ensuring transparency in the voting process. The findings were categorised into issues encountered on Election Day itself and during the counting of advanced ballots.

A total of 375 online complaints were registered with iLaw. The most common complaint was citizens being prohibited from taking photographs at polling stations, accounting for 81 out of the total complaints.

The election law allows people to take photographs of the ballot-counting process for future reference and verification, as long as doing so does not impede the work of election officers.

In addition, 41 complaints were related to polling station staff, ranging from officials neglecting to verify voters' identities to a lack of preparedness in providing guidance.

Several complaints noted errors or missing details of candidates at polling stations, as well as the appearance of candidates who had passed away over 20 years ago.

While iLaw deployed a task force of 150 individuals to handle complaints regarding advanced voting, they had to collaborate with We Watch to investigate reports from members of the Move Forward Party, who claimed that some advanced votes arrived after the counting had concluded. However, We Watch subsequently confirmed that the votes were indeed counted.

Isolated incidents observed during the process included polling stations being provided with pens of the wrong colour or errors on the ballot forms.

Anon added that these complaints are still under investigation, but no ballots have been invalidated for these reasons so far.

iLaw said it spent six months preparing to observe the elections and encouraging volunteer observers to sign on. On Election Day, more than 39,000 volunteers from all over the country participated.

It also made a series of recommendations to the Election Commission for following up the current vote and for future elections.

It noted that while the law gives the EC 60 days from May 14 to certify the vote, it should be done much more quickly. In constituencies where there is no suspicion of corruption, official results could be announced as soon as May 22, it said.

Suwat: Chartpattanakla not bothered by fuss

Veteran politician Suwat Liptapanlop claims to harbour no ill will after negotiations for his Chartpattanakla Party to join the Move Forward coalition collapsed.

The two-member party's chairman shared his perspective on the failed agreement with the Move Forward Party (MFP) during a press conference at the party headquarters in Nakhon Ratchasima last Saturday.

Liptapanlop stated, “The Move Forward Party invited Chartpattanakla to join its alliance to form a coalition government. Our party agreed in principle to support the party that had gained the most House seats to successfully form the government."

The MFP later invited Chartpattanakla executives to a meeting on Monday, during which details of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) among the coalition partners were intended to be divulged.

Once news of the impending partnership emerged, social media erupted in criticism of Move Forward. The primary cause of anger amongst netizens was that the deal would introduce Korn Chatikvanij, the Chartpattanakla leader and former Democrat Party heavyweight, who backed the Bangkok Shutdown protests leading to the May 2014 coup, into the coalition.

In response to the backlash, Move Forward executives retracted the invitation, offering apologies to their supporters, the public, and Chartpattanakla. Consequently, they refrained from holding any press events on Saturday, opting to communicate exclusively through social media channels.

Liptapanlop dismissed the controversy, stating, "As the MFP had announced it was ending the talks and formally notified us of its decision, Chartpattanakla has no problem."

Also in attendance at Saturday's press conference were Prasart Tanprasert, a prospective Nakhon Sawan MP; Dr Wannarat Charnnukul, a potential party-list MP; and party secretary-general Tewan Liptapanlop.

Liptapanlop expressed gratitude to Move Forward for the initial invitation and insisted that he and his party were not troubled by the outcome, maintaining a positive relationship with the MFP.

Democrats deny bid to join MFP-led coalition

Key Democrat figures on Friday rejected media reports that the party was seeking to join the coalition led by the Move Forward Party (MFP).

According to the reports circulating on Thursday night following the formation of the ten-party alliance, a group of winning Democrat candidates close to acting party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on said Chalermchai tried to approach the MFP and Pheu Thai to be part of the coalition.

Two figures - Det-it Khaothong and Chaichana Dejdecho, who won House seats in Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat, respectively - were said to be spearheading the move. The group was said to have 16 out of 25 seats the party captured in Sunday's polls.

Chaichana said the reports were entirely false and speculated that they were released to gauge Democrat opinions after some parties had declared their stance.

He said the party stood by its declaration that it would not support the abolition of the lese majeste law, would not tolerate corruption and would not allow the uncontrolled use of cannabis.

However, he said a decision on the party's future would be decided after a new party executive is elected and the election winners are endorsed by the Election Commission.

Jurin Laksanawisit, who vowed to resign if the party won less than 25 seats, announced he was quitting before the party hit that target late on Sunday evening. The party grabbed just 22 seats from the constituencies and three more from the list system, according to the unofficial result.

Alongkorn Ponlaboot, acting Democrat deputy leader, on Friday urged media outlets to verify the reports, especially those with unnamed sources, because they could be used to discredit the party.

"The party is ready to be in the opposition and scrutinise the work of the MFP-led government. We want to reaffirm our stance that we disagree with amending Sections 1-2 of the constitution and the lese majeste law," he said.

Sombat Yasin, a Democrat candidate who won in Mae Song Hon, said on Friday it was unlikely the party would join the MFP-led coalition because the MFP had highly controversial policies.

He did not rule out the possibility of the party working with Pheu Thai in case the MFP failed to set up a government and Pheu Thai stepped in to form its own alliance.

However, Sombat said Pheu Thai must leave the lese majeste law alone for the Democrats to consider joining its coalition.

"I've talked to Chalermchai, and he shares the same opinions. We don't agree with the MFP. But if the lead party in the coalition changes to reduce political divisiveness without touching the lese majeste law, we think it's acceptable," he said.

Northeast pleased with MFP-led coalition - survey

A majority of people in northeastern Thailand are satisfied with the proposed formation of a coalition government led by Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat, according to a survey by E-Saan Poll.

The E-Saan Centre for Business and Economic Research (ECBER) at Khon Kaen University conducted the survey of 1,100 respondents aged 18 and over across 20 provinces in the Northeast.

The survey aimed to gauge the views of northeastern people about their feelings after learning about the outcome of the May 14 general election, and which political parties they wanted to see in the next coalition government, said Suthin Wianwiwat, head of the E-Saan Poll.

Although most respondents supported the Pheu Thai Party in the general election, they backed Pita Limjaroenrat as their top choice for prime minister, followed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Stretta Thavisin after the election results were known.

The survey showed more than 90% of respondents were satisfied with political parties joining an alliance with the MFP to form a coalition government, said Suthin Wianwiwat.

Most respondents expressed their desire for political parties in the outgoing government to be in the opposition camp.

According to the survey, 80% of the respondents also wanted a people's constitution.

Concerning the MFP and Pheu Thai parties' ability to garner enough votes from senators, 60% of the respondents were uncertain about their chances, while 40% expressed hope more senators would back Pita Limjaroenrat's bid for premier.

An MFP-led alliance has so far gathered 313 seats from eight parties as they work to establish a government bloc. The next step is to secure at least 376 votes in the 750-seat parliament, which consists of 500 MPs and 250 junta-appointed senators.

Recently, the one-member New Party accepted the invitation to join the alliance, becoming the ninth party to do so. It is currently awaiting official confirmation from the MFP.

Last week, Move Forward deputy leader Phicharn Chaowapatanawong said the Chartpattanakla Party, with two House seats, had also agreed to join the coalition. This decision drew criticism from many MFP members and supporters, and the MFP later reversed its decision.

In the general election, the MFP won 151 House seats, including 32 out of 33 seats in Bangkok. The Pheu Thai Party won the remaining seat.

Dems deny bid to join MFP-led coalition

Key Democrat figures rejected media reports on Friday suggesting that the party was seeking to join the coalition led by the Move Forward Party (MFP).

The reports, which emerged on Thursday night following the formation of the ten-party alliance, claimed that a group of winning Democrat candidates close to acting party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on said Chalermchai tried to approach the MFP and Pheu Thai to become part of the coalition.

Two figures, Det-it Khaothong and Chaichana Dejdecho, who won House seats in Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat respectively, were said to be leading the effort. The group reportedly had 16 out of 25 seats the party won in the Sunday polls.

Chaichana denied the reports, calling them entirely false and suggested they were released to gauge Democrat opinions after some parties had announced their stances.

He reiterated that the party would not support the abolition of the lese majeste law, would not tolerate corruption, and would not allow the uncontrolled use of cannabis. However, he said a decision on the party's future would be made after a new party executive is elected and the election winners are endorsed by the Election Commission.

Jurin Laksanawisit, who vowed to resign if the party won less than 25 seats, announced his resignation before the party achieved that target late on Sunday evening. The party secured just 22 seats from constituencies and three more from the list system, according to unofficial results.

On Friday, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, acting Democrat deputy leader, urged media outlets to verify the reports, particularly those with unnamed sources, as they could be used to discredit the party.

"The party is ready to be in the opposition and scrutinise the work of the MFP-led government. We want to reaffirm our stance that we disagree with amending Sections 1-2 of the constitution and the lese majeste law," he said.

Sombat Yasin, a Democrat candidate who achieved a win in Mae Song Hon, said on Friday it was unlikely the party would join the MFP-led coalition due to the MFP's highly controversial policies.

However, he did not rule out the possibility of the party working with Pheu Thai if the MFP failed to establish a government, and Pheu Thai stepped in to form their alliance.

Sombat also mentioned that Pheu Thai would have to leave the lese majeste law untouched for the Democrats to consider joining its coalition.

"I've spoken with Chalermchai, and he shares the same opinions. We don't agree with the MFP. However, if the lead party in the coalition changes to reduce political divisiveness without touching the lese majeste law, we think it's acceptable," he said.

Move backward

The Move Forward Party's (MFP) recent decision to ally with the Chartpattanakla Party to form a coalition government was met with fierce opposition, leading to an abrupt end to the partnership.

MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat publicly apologised for the situation on Friday night, tweeting, "I would like to apologise. I will keep reminding myself that a party is bigger than an individual. The people are bigger than a party."

In response to the mounting pressure, the MFP released a statement on its Facebook page on Friday night, acknowledging that they had heard the objections of the public regarding the proposed inclusion of Chartpattanakla in the alliance.

This followed talks between the MFP and Chartpattanakla over support for Pita Limjaroenrat's bid to become prime minister as part of a planned coalition government. The negotiations sparked backlash from the public, party staff, provincial-level panel members, and party members, who largely agreed that they could not accept the inclusion of Chartpattanakla. This stance was also shared by a meeting of prospective Move Forward MPs.

Opposition to Chartpattanakla was rooted in its leader, Korn Chatikavanij, who had participated in the seven-month-long Bangkok Shutdown and anti-Yingluck Shinawatra protests that culminated in the military coup toppling her administration on May 22, 2014. Korn, a former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, previously voted in favour of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha—the coup leader at the time—to become the prime minister.

After claiming victory in the most House seats during the May 14 general election, the MFP announced its intentions to continue talks and work towards gaining more support from senators to secure enough votes for its leader to become prime minister. This would allow the party to form a government as quickly as possible.

Accepting the criticism, the MFP apologised for disappointing the public and assured that any government it led would be founded on its political stance and the policies it had campaigned on earlier. The MFP also apologised to Chartpattanakla for discontinuing their discussions.

This development precedes the New Party becoming the ninth party to join the MFP-led alliance on Friday, adding its one-member presence to the 314 House seats within the bloc. However, the Move Forward deputy leader, Phicharn Chaowapatanawong, later stated that the Chartpattanakla Party, with two House seats, had agreed to join the coalition as well, which ignited criticism from MFP supporters.

Pheu Thai urges MFP to leave S112 amendments out of pact

The Pheu Thai Party has recently requested that the Move Forward Party (MFP) reconsider the inclusion of a proposal amending the lese majeste law in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that the MFP is requesting potential coalition partners to sign before forming a new government.

Deputy Pheu Thai leader, Chusak Sirinil, mentioned that he understood the matter of the lese majeste law would be further discussed between the MFP and prospective coalition partners before the MoU is signed. However, he believes that this matter is likely to lead to significant societal conflict and has suggested that the MFP should revise its plan to include the proposal to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code in the MoU.

Chusak suggested that the MoU should encompass broad principles, which all potential coalition partners can agree on, allowing them to work together effectively as a government. Subsequently, the coalition will then work together to integrate its main policies into the government's policies, which can then be presented in parliament. Details such as the fair distribution of cabinet portfolios should follow afterwards.

Chusak advised that the MFP and all its possible coalition partners should start their collaboration with discussions focusing on improving the country's economic situation instead of spending too much time on their own policies at the beginning.

MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon stated that the party has sent a copy of the MoU to all ten political parties who have agreed to be in the coalition and expects feedback by tomorrow. A discussion will be organised for all the parties involved, finalising the agreement before the final version of the MoU is publicised by Monday, as planned.

Chaithawat did not disclose details of the tentative version of the MoU, saying that the MFP must still discuss many other details with the eight parties, including what should and should not be prioritised. The MoU acts as a guideline for all the coalition partners, not just the MFP, he said.

Regarding the Section 112 issue, Chaithawat acknowledged that the matter may lead to societal conflict and should be dealt with in parliament at a later stage. This means that the details of the MFP's proposed amendment to the lese majeste law should not appear in the MoU at all.

An anonymous source who has viewed a copy of the MoU sent by the MFP to Pheu Thai, said the MoU tackles the MFP's core policies, including ensuring justice for all people affected by past military coups and pushing for an amnesty law for convicts in political cases, which most prospective coalition partners may not agree with, particularly Pheu Thai.

Pheu Thai opposes the plan to push for an amnesty law as it is concerned that the public might interpret the matter as the party's attempt to help former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra return home. However, if the MFP later proposes the draft amnesty law on its own, Pheu Thai would not oppose this.

Meanwhile, the MFP's intention to liberalise the liquor industry and implement a marriage equality law is opposed by the Prachachat Party, which often views these issues as inconsistent with Islamic principles.

The New Party recently announced its decision to join the MFP, bringing the total number of MPs who will vote for MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as Thailand's next prime minister to 316.

Parties jostle over cabinet posts

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is reportedly targeting key cabinet posts related to finance, foreign affairs, defence, and energy, while Pheu Thai is anticipated to be offered economic portfolios such as transport, commerce, and industry ministries, according to sources.

These sources also stated that the MFP has informed Pheu Thai of its intentions to take control of ministries responsible for security matters, in order to push for military reform and decentralisation, and oversee human resource development. This aligns with the party's election platform.

It has also been alleged that MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who is expected to become the next prime minister, will concurrently serve as foreign affairs minister, as he will be representing Thailand on the global stage once the coalition government is formed.

Including the prime ministerial post that Pita is projected to take, there are 35 cabinet posts to be allocated among the coalition partners.

On Thursday, the MFP declared the formation of an eight-party coalition and the establishment of working groups to gain the support of senators and outline policy platforms. A memorandum of understanding is set to be revealed on Monday.

Pita announced last Thursday that all of the coalition parties had agreed to support him as the next prime minister, following the MFP securing the highest number of seats in the recent election.

The eight parties included in the coalition are the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang. With the addition of the Chartpattanakla Party and the New Party, the MFP-led coalition now comprises ten parties and a total of 316 House seats.

According to Deputy MFP leader Phicharn Chaowapatanawong, Chartpattanakla, which secured two House seats, and the New Party, which obtained one, agreed to join the coalition on Friday.

Sources have claimed that the MFP will receive 17 cabinet posts, with Pheu Thai, which won the second-largest number of House seats, being allocated 15-16.

Prachachart and Thai Sang Thai are each expected to be given one cabinet post, while a group of smaller parties would only be allocated one additional cabinet post, with Seri Ruam Thai likely to secure that position.

According to these sources, the MFP is aiming to oversee some of the most prominent ministries, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior, Finance, Education, Energy, Labour, and Justice.

On the other hand, Pheu Thai is anticipated to be offered portfolios such as commerce, transport, agriculture, digital economy and society, tourism, and industry.

It has been reported that the MFP will dismiss Pheu Thai's US$10,000 digital money scheme, as it would necessitate a budget of up to US$500 billion. The MFP plans to use these funds to finance other election pledges, such as increasing the monthly allowance for elderly individuals to US$3,000.

However, the sources claim that Pheu Thai is unhappy with the MFP taking control of the majority of high-profile cabinet portfolios. They believe they should have the right to choose the ministerial positions to best deliver on their policy commitments.

Despite these allegations, MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon dismissed rumours that his party had been allocated these high-profile ministries, asserting that the issue had not been finalised.

Chaithawat Tulathon, in his capacity as coordinator for the formation of a new government, refuted claims that ministerial quotas had been distributed, with MFP MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn taking the lead at the Interior Ministry. He urged caution on this matter since negotiation and allocation of ministries remain ongoing.

He also warned that speculation about ministerial quotas may hinder ongoing negotiations among coalition partners and potentially lead to misunderstandings within the parties' negotiation teams.

On May 22, the coalition is set to disclose details of a memorandum of understanding outlining guidelines for collaboration among the partners, with all coalition members expected to sign it on that day.

Easing the pressure

The Move Forward Party (MFP) announced on Friday that coalition partners are not required to back its controversial stance on amending the royal defamation law, as it seeks to gain support to form a government.

"If parties agree with us on 112, then we are ready to include it in the agreement, but it is not a condition for joining the government," said deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun on a morning talk show, referring to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.

The agreement she mentioned is a memorandum of understanding currently being drafted by the eight parties in the coalition and is set to be signed on Monday.

Sirikanya stated that Move Forward would independently introduce a proposed amendment to Section 112 in parliament.

The lese-majeste law dictates sentences ranging from three to 15 years in prison for crimes against the monarchy. Critics argue that it is primarily used to suppress dissent. Approximately 240 people have been charged under the law since youth-led protests against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government began in mid-2020.

Move Forward aims to amend the law to reduce prison terms and to specify that only the Bureau of the Royal Household can file a complaint. Currently, anyone can lodge a complaint against someone else, and the police must investigate.

The eight-party coalition of Move Forward will have 313 votes in the 500-member House. However, the 250-member Senate will also vote on the prime minister's selection. The party will need a total of 376 votes to secure the approval of its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat.

The majority of senators, appointed by Gen Prayut in 2019, do not support Pita. However, a few have publicly stated their support for him as the leader of the party that has considerable public backing.

The Bhumjaithai Party, which occupies 70 seats and serves as the largest opposition party, declared that it would not support any prime minister who seeks to amend the lese-majeste law.

Not forcing other parties to adopt its position on lese-majeste might help Move Forward attract additional votes, according to analysts.

"They've significantly decelerated on this issue, which eases the pressure on government parties from supporting the coalition," said political scientist Wanwichit Boonprong of Rangsit University.

Another contentious subject was cannabis use, which was promoted by Bhumjaithai and legalised last year. However, the absence of accompanying regulations resulted in a spike in recreational use that angered conservatives.

Move Forward announced it would re-criminalise cannabis before implementing a legal framework allowing for medical and regulated recreational use.

"We support medical marijuana, and recreational use must be regulated," said Parit Wacharasindhu, an MP-elect with the party.

MFP denies reports it’s taking Grade A ministries

A high-ranking Move Forward Party (MFP) executive has firmly denied media reports stating that the party has been allocated the so-called Grade A ministries, asserting that the issue is yet to be finalised.

In his role as coordinator for the new government formation talks, Party Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon, responded to these reports, including a specific one that mentioned MFP list-MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn assuming the position of Interior Ministry. Chaithawat expressed shock upon hearing such claims and emphasised that the negotiation process for political platforms within the memorandum of understanding was still ongoing.

Grade A ministries are those with extensive budgets for procurement or activities, such as construction, which have previously been linked to corruption in past governments.

Chaithawat explained that the ministry allocations have not been completed yet and speculations surrounding these allocations could potentially harm coalition negotiations by causing misunderstandings. He also criticised the media for their excessive reporting on these speculative matters and to exercise caution until a conclusion is reached.

The current focus is on finalising a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that outlines the guidelines for collaboration. The plan is to disclose the details on Monday, which is also the day when all coalition partners are expected to sign it, according to Chaithawat.

Media reports emerged on Friday suggesting that Phicharn Chaowapatanawong, a Move Forward deputy leader, was coordinating with another smaller party to join the alliance, which currently consists of eight parties.

Kritdithat Saengthayothin, a list-MP of the single-member New Party, has reportedly accepted the invitation to join the alliance, bringing the party count to nine and extending the MFP-led bloc's House seats to 314.

The New Party announced via their Facebook page on Friday that their executives have resolved to join the alliance unconditionally to help form a new government.

On Friday evening, Phicharn shared that the Chartpattanakla Party, which holds two seats, also agreed to join the coalition, boosting the MFP-led bloc to a total of 316 seats.

Coalition talks spook markets amid split over LM

Thailand's pro-democracy parties face built-in obstacles to forming a government even after a historic win in Sunday's general election. The resistance is starting to take shape, causing investors to become wary of prolonged political uncertainty.

Move Forward Party (MFP) leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, whose party won the most seats in Sunday's election, announced on Thursday that the coalition has expanded to eight parties with 313 members. While this represents a clear majority among elected lawmakers in the 500-member House of Representatives, it falls short of the 376 needed for the bloc to form a government without needing votes from the 250-member, military-appointed Senate, which also gets to decide the prime minister in a joint sitting.

Indications of a challenging fight ahead emerged after Bhumjaithai, a party that came third in the election with 70 seats, said it will not support Pita becoming prime minister due to his intent to change Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law. The Senate is likely to follow suit.

The possibility of a conservative backlash is impacting markets, with foreign investors turning into net sellers of baht-denominated bonds and stocks. Overseas funds sold a net US$492 million of Thai bonds on Wednesday, the most since November 2016, according to Thai Bond Market Association data. They also sold US$183m of equities on a net basis for the three days through Wednesday.

The baht fell for a third consecutive day, losing 1.6% against the dollar since Tuesday, offsetting the post-election rally on Monday. Meanwhile, the stock index rose for the first time in six days.

Seeking to ease concerns, Harvard-educated Pita, 42 years old, said the alliance is ready for the challenge.

"I'm confident we'll have the votes to secure the premiership," Pita told reporters in Bangkok on Thursday during the first joint briefing with the seven other coalition members, including Pheu Thai, a party backed by exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that came in second place. "There are no scenarios that we haven't anticipated."

Pita's coalition may be at risk if conservative parties, which together hold about 180 seats in the lower house, stake a claim and secure the backing of the majority of the Senate. While the Bhumjaithai Party has said Move Forward has the right to form a government first, Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul is often seen as a potential prime minister candidate.

Move Forward has stated that it will not back down from its vow to amend the so-called lese majeste law.

There are also differing views within Pita's coalition. Ousted premier Thaksin has distanced his family from any moves that appear to go against the institution, even as the parties agreed to work together to reach a consensus on how to proceed with Move Forward's amendment proposal. A memorandum of understanding, set to be signed by the coalition partners on Monday, will outline their common agenda and how they will approach Section 112.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said his party is committed to forming a "government of hope and dreams" with Move Forward. Pheu Thai, which dominated Thailand's national elections for two decades, previously stated that it was open to discussing the proposal to amend the lese majeste law in parliament.

"Article 112 isn’t an issue that will prevent us from working together because there are common agreements that everyone sees as a solution," Dr. Cholnan said at the joint briefing.

Analysts suggested that the MFP may need to soften its position on changes to Section 112 to reduce friction and gain support from senators or conservative parties. Pheu Thai may even join with other parties if Pita fails to form a government.

"Due to the number of seats that Pheu Thai holds, any viable coalition must include it in the political equation," said Napon Jatusripitak, a research fellow at the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. "The same cannot be said for the Move Forward Party, which is less flexible."

MFP musters 8-party bloc

The Move Forward Party (MFP) recently announced the formation of an eight-party alliance and plans to set up working groups to lobby senators for support and develop policy platforms. A memorandum of understanding regarding the alliance is expected to be disclosed next week.

By incorporating the Pheu Thai Ruam Palang and Palang Sangkhom Mai parties, the MFP-led coalition has secured 313 House seats and needs an additional 63 votes to back MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat's bid to become prime minister.

Leaders of the eight parties – MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai, and Pheu Thai Ruam Palang – gathered last week at the Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel to make the announcement following initial discussions on the previous day.

Pita stated that all the coalition parties have agreed to support him as the next prime minister since the MFP won the most seats in last Sunday's election. The alliance plans to work on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) addressing national, political, economic, and social crises. The MoU's details will be revealed on May 22, the ninth anniversary of the military coup in 2014.

Working groups will be established by the eight parties to aid in the transition from the caretaker government. Pita said that the allocation of cabinet seats is not a topic of discussion at this stage.

According to Pita, ministerial positions are not the focus; instead, policy platforms and objectives for each party are emphasized. He expressed confidence in the coalition's ability to obtain the necessary votes for his prime minister appointment.

Regarding complaints about his qualifications, Pita said he is not concerned and is prepared for scrutiny. Pita owns shares in a media company, which might result in disqualification.

Following the working teams' conversations with the Senate, the vote for prime minister and the potential addition of other parties to the alliance would be considered, said Pita. He stated, "The 313 House seats are sufficient, and obtaining 376 votes is not an issue for the time being."

As per Pita, discussions on the lese majeste law would be held among coalition partners, and whether the MoU addresses the law will depend on the discussions. He insisted, however, that amendments to the law are required.

Cholnan Srikaew, Pheu Thai leader, stated that the coalition partners would review the MoU prepared by MFP and make suggestions, including on the lese majeste law.

Forming policies, rather than allocating cabinet seats, is more important to Thai Sang Thai leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan. She emphasized that her party supports the election winner in forming the government and would accept being in opposition if necessary.

According to Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, the party supports MFP's efforts to form the government.

More senators back Pita's bid to be prime minister

A growing number of senators are showing support for Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat's pursuit of the prime minister position, highlighting the people's mandate in Sunday's election and the MFP's increased likelihood of forming a government.

Senator Sathit Limpongpan has committed to backing a government coalition securing over 250 House seats, or half of the total seats at stake. At least 14 other senators are reportedly preparing to support Pita's bid for the prime minister role.

An MFP-led alliance has presently accumulated 313 seats from eight parties as it aims to form a government bloc. The next stage is acquiring a minimum of 376 votes within the 750-seat parliament, comprising 500 MPs and 250 senators.

To address the shortfall, the alliance will need to reach out to parties outside the bloc and senators.

Concerns have been growing as the MFP had been highly critical of inter-bloc parties, labelling them "pro-dictatorship", as well as the coup-appointed Senate. Nevertheless, some members from the Democrat Party, which is not part of the MFP-led coalition, stated they were working to back Pita for the premiership in the name of "preserving democracy".

Sathit mentioned he had listened to the MFP's policies and found them distinct enough to support.

Senator Prapasri Suchanthabut has also indicated that she would lend her support to Pita's pursuit of the premiership.

Wanchai Sornsiri, a vocal senator, denied being against Pita's bid, stating he was misunderstood.

Wanchai promised to elect anyone able to secure over half of the votes in the House of Representatives as premier.

However, Wanchai insisted he could not vouch for other senators who might doubt Pita or the MFP. Still, he believed any unresolved issues could be discussed before the premiership election in the coming two to three months.

A significant point of contention several senators have with the MFP is the party's stance on amending or repealing the highly sensitive Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law.

Senator Direkrit Jenklongtham said he would respect the people's mandate and congratulated Pita for the MFP's election success, having won 151 of the 500 House seats on Sunday.

Direkrit suggested that if possible, Pita should clarify the MFP's position on Section 112 and specify whether the party plans to change or abolish the law entirely. If the plan is to amend it, the party must explain the process, he said. The Senate might also invite Pita to provide an explanation, Direkrit added.

Coalition plan

The leader of Move Forward Party (MFP), Pita Limjaroenrat, has officially unveiled plans for a coalition government comprising 313 MPs from eight political parties, with himself as the prime minister. However, potential tensions are already emerging between the two largest parties in the alliance: Move Forward and Pheu Thai.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew expressed his party's concerns about the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) that all eight parties hope to sign on May 22. Move Forward's plan to amend the lese-majeste law could also cause friction, he added.

Cholnan revealed his party's opposition to certain points in the draft government coalition MoU, following a press conference held by the eight parties at the Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel. Together, Move Forward and Pheu Thai are set to have 293 seats in the House of Representatives, based on the unofficial results of the recent election. The remaining 20 seats are divided among six other parties: Prachachat, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai (Thai Liberal), Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai (New Force) and Peu Thai Rumphlang.

Pita stated that all the coalition parties had agreed to support him as the next prime minister since MFP won the most House seats. He also emphasised that the final MoU document would be produced by a committee in which all eight parties are represented.

The MoU will outline guidelines for the parties' collaboration and cover national, political, economic and social crises. The final details are scheduled to be announced on May 22, which marks the ninth anniversary of the 2014 military coup d'état led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, who currently serves as the caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.

The eight parties will establish a working group to facilitate the transition from the caretaker government to the new administration, also considering the possibility of other political parties joining the coalition. Pita expressed confidence that the 313 MPs should be enough to form a new government and in gaining parliamentary support to appoint him as the country's 30th prime minister.

Regarding the issue of amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Cholnan said it had not yet been discussed among the potential coalition parties. He stressed that any change to the lese-majeste law must be acceptable to all parties involved.

Pita declined to comment on the matter of amending Section 112, as MFP has faced significant criticism from some segments of the population who believe changing the law could weaken the protection of the royal institution. Pita also dismissed concerns about complaints over his qualifications, following a Palang Pracharath Party member filing a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that Pita held shares in a media company, which would be grounds for disqualification.

Lese majeste stance

The Bhumjaithai Party, which unofficially secured the third-highest number of House seats, announced its refusal to support any prime ministerial candidate or political party seeking to revoke or amend the lese majeste law.

This statement was shared on Bhumjaithai's Facebook page last night in response to the Move Forward Party, which nominated its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, as the new prime minister after winning the most House seats in last Sunday's general election.

Bhumjaithai based its stance on Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law.

The party wrote that the stance remained unchanged from what its leader Anutin Charnvirakul had announced earlier.

"The stance is an important principle of the Bhumjaithai Party, which is unchangeable and unnegotiable. The Bhumjaithai Party cannot vote for a prime ministerial candidate from a political party that plans to amend or abolish Section 112 of the Criminal Code," Bhumjaithai wrote.

According to the announcement, the Bhumjaithai Party and its members will not be swayed by demands, threats or pressure to alter their ideals and standpoint. If a government seeking to amend or abolish Section 112 is successfully formed, the party will be prepared to serve as the opposition to monitor the government's performance in the interest of the public and the protection of the important institution.

"Bhumjaithai urges the majority side to uphold the principles of democracy by respecting and listening to the voice of the minority, rather than resorting to threats and pressure to fulfill its desires."

According to Bhumjaithai's management, over five million people who voted for its candidates believed that Bhumjaithai would be the main political party that adhered to the protection of the nation's important institution.

Meanwhile, Move Forward leader Pita said today that he was confident of being able to form a government that would be stable and balanced.

Pita added that he was not concerned about any pending cases seeking to disqualify him.

He was speaking at a press conference as part of an alliance of eight political parties worth about 313 lower house seats, short of the 375 votes needed from the 750-member bicameral legislature to vote in a prime minister to form a government after the general election on May 14.

Lese majeste stance

The Democrat Party is considering whether its members should elect Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat, 40 years old, as prime minister, with some suggesting support should be conditional to the treatment of the lese majeste law.

Chanin Rungsaeng, former Democrat executive, mentioned that party members would have no issue electing Pita as prime minister, as long as the MFP promises not to abolish the lese majeste law. In a Facebook post, he did not oppose the idea of Democrats supporting the leader of the party with the most votes.

However, he stipulated that the MFP must promise not to repeal Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, and that there must be no amendment to Section 112 that would allow for insults to the monarchy. The MFP recently won 151 MP seats, becoming the largest winner in the recent election.

Currently, Pita is seeking support from fellow opposition parties, which include Pheu Thai, to form a new government with him as prime minister. However, support from the opposition bloc alone will not be sufficient for him to become prime minister unless the MFP garners additional backing from some senators and parties in the current government.

Some members of the Democrats, a partner in the government coalition, have put forth the idea that their party vote in favour of Pita for the premier position. Chanin believes there is an advantage to the Democrats and other parties rallying behind Pita's bid for the premiership, as it might obstruct the Senate's illegitimate exercise of power to co-elect Pita as prime minister.

Mallika Boonmeetrakul Mahasuk, former Democrats executive, expressed her opinion that the 25 Democrat MPs should be free to decide on their voting choice in regard to Pita's bid.

Meanwhile, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, acting Democrat deputy leader, announced his intention to ask the party at its meeting next week to unconditionally support Pita for the premiership. According to him, the Democrats should contribute to breaking any deadlock that might occur while choosing the new prime minister. Pita needs at least 376 votes from MPs alone or from both MPs and senators combined to secure the prime ministerial nomination.

Claims dismissed

The Move Forward Party (MFP) has no connection to a network that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra suggested the party may have used to influence the recent election in its favour, according to the MFP's deputy leader, Phicharn Chaowapatanawong.

Instead, the party's electoral success can be attributed to its political ideology and policies, Phicharn said. The comments were made in response to a YouTube session Thaksin held on Tuesday night called CareTalk x Care ClubHouse in which he discussed the election and his potential return to Thailand.

During his discussion, Thaksin congratulated the MFP for its victory, which is expected to cause a significant shift in Bangkok's political landscape. The MFP is associated with the colour orange and its reformist agenda. Thaksin shared his belief that the MFP may have operated an information operation (IO) network while propagating a rumour that Pheu Thai, the party that came in second, was pursuing a different coalition than the MFP's alliance, potentially causing a loss of confidence in the rival party.

Thaksin also praised the MFP as a "disruptor" that had harnessed social media and user-generated content (UGC) to triumph over Pheu Thai and other parties. Thaksin went on to suggest that Pheu Thai's senior members step down and allow a new generation of media-savvy politicians to revive the party he is closely associated with. Thaksin described Pheu Thai's failure to reinvent itself enough to overcome the MFP, which, in his opinion, resembled a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) that had outperformed a larger, well-established company by offering high-quality products that kept customers satisfied.

Furthermore, Thaksin expressed his desire to return to Thailand to help raise his grandchildren. His daughter, Paetongtarn, was one of Pheu Thai's presidential candidates in the recent election. Phicharn stated that Thaksin's comments were intended to undermine the MFP's success and insulted voters. He stressed, "The MFP insists it does not have either the budget or the intention to carry out such an operation [as Thaksin claimed regarding the online network]."

Thaksin praises Move Forward disruptors

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra recently praised the election-winning Move Forward Party as disruptors who had mastered social media and said that ageing army generals contributing to years of turmoil should retire with dignity. Thaksin, who has been in self-imposed exile, also commented on the growing debate over the sensitive lese-majeste law, which Move Forward wants amending, stating that Pheu Thai would not back any action that could harm the monarchy.

Thaksin claimed in a Clubhouse chat that Move Forward demonstrated how social media and user-generated content (UGC) can triumph over large-budget campaigns and vote-buying. Before the recent vote, the political force founded by Thaksin had won every election since 2001, despite being ousted from office three times. Move Forward received 14.2 million votes for party-list MPs, compared to 10.8 million for Pheu Thai.

Thaksin noted the effective use of TikTok as a platform by Move Forward and their strong appeal and organisation in university towns. He stated that Pheu Thai suffered because they did not disrupt themselves enough and that Move Forward's trend overcame Pheu Thai and the other parties with significant financial resources.

Move Forward attracted young people with its liberal agenda and promises of bold change, including tackling monopolies and amending the law that prescribes long jail sentences for insulting the monarchy, a traditionally taboo issue.

Pheu Thai has agreed to form a six-party alliance with Move Forward, hoping more will join to prevent the defeated pro-military parties from securing a place in the government. Thaksin, despite his 17-year exile, still wields significant influence over Pheu Thai and plans to return to Thailand in July. He has pledged loyalty to the palace and emphasised that Pheu Thai would not support any actions by Move Forward that would negatively impact the monarchy.

Thaksin dismissed any speculation of a secret deal with the generals fronting the opposing parties to develop a government and criticised the excessive use of power by the military.

Regarding Move Forward’s plans to ease rules outlawing criticism of the royal family, Thaksin maintained his family's and Pheu Thai's respect and love for the monarchy as their official stance, distancing themselves from any potential issues that could arise. Move Forward aims to suggest two key amendments to Section 112: one reducing harsh sentences for royal defamation and the other requiring the Bureau of the Royal Household to file such complaints instead of anyone being able to file a complaint against another individual.

Thaksin reaffirmed his intentions to return to Thailand, even if it means serving jail time, stating that his 17-year overseas exile has felt like being in a large prison.

We Watch calls for speedy vote count

The We Watch group, consisting of young poll monitors, has urged the Election Commission (EC) to expedite the vote count and announce the poll results as soon as possible, allowing for the swift formation of the new government.

The group announced on Tuesday that the EC should release the official poll results significantly earlier than the deadline. According to the law, the EC is permitted to declare the official poll results within 60 days of the election.

Pongsak Chan-on, the We Watch director, expressed concern that the 60-day window could impede the formation of the new government and stall the country's progress. He suggested that the EC should strive to complete its work and release the results within seven days of the polls.

By Tuesday afternoon, 99% of the 39 million votes cast across the nation had been counted, as reported on the EC's official website. The We Watch group had deployed members to monitor various polling stations across all 77 provinces on Sunday.

Krit Saengsurin, We Watch's information officer, stated that the group did not encounter any significant issues with the election. However, they did discover shortcomings, such as insufficient facilities for disabled voters at certain polling stations in provinces including Chumphon, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Bangkok.

We Watch highlighted the lack of facilities for wheelchair-bound voters and the absence of equipment to assist blind or deaf individuals in handling their ballots. Furthermore, the group criticised the fact that monks, people with mental conditions, and inmates are denied voting rights by law.

We Watch also reported that the allocation of different campaign numbers for the two ballots, one for choosing constituency candidates and the other for parties, was confusing. Additionally, names were mixed up in house registrations, and some voters' names remained registered at their old residences despite completed data transfers.

The group has committed to continuing to oversee the EC's work until the new government is officially established and functional.

Operators express hope post-election

Chiang Mai and Phuket tourism operators are hopeful that the new government, led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), can address the PM2.5 dust crisis, work towards decentralising power, and distribute budgets for regional development and reviving tourism competitiveness.

La-iad Bungsrithong, a board adviser for the Thai Hotels Association, stated that the election result confirms Chiang Mai's desire for change. According to Bungsrithong, the province did not receive as many benefits as it should have from the government over the past eight years, particularly concerning air pollution. Chiang Mai often ranked as the worst in the world for extended periods.

Furthermore, there was a delay in Covid-19 vaccine allocations, with Chiang Mai among the last to receive them, despite being one of Thailand's major provinces. Bungsrithong explained that while the MFP presented a clear plan to address the smog issue, the solution should involve cooperation across the entire ecosystem to resolve the root causes, rather than solely addressing the consequences by spraying artificial rain or arresting farmers who practice slash and burn methods.

Bungsrithong also suggested that the new government should negotiate with neighbouring countries and set annual targets with key performance indicators for relevant authorities. A decrease in air pollution will ultimately aid the national economy, tourism industry, and improve people's quality of life.

Additionally, implementing a policy to decentralise government—including provincial governor elections—would allow the province to allocate budgets for in-demand public projects, such as quality public buses which Chiang Mai still lacks. Bungsrithong also supports the proposal for public electric buses in every province, as it would benefit tourism and the environment.

Two parties in the coalition government have called for raising the minimum wage, and Bungsrithong acknowledged that it would somewhat affect operators' expenses, as room rates in Chiang Mai are lower than those in Phuket and Bangkok. However, she claims that if a higher minimum wage helps the majority of society, tourism operators are prepared to comply with any new rule. Bungsrithong suggested that the government should evaluate the outcome of a wage increase to ensure employers do not face too heavy a cost burden without state support.

Meanwhile, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, emphasised that inflating flight capacity to Phuket to 2019 levels should be the new government's first priority in terms of both inbound flights and domestic routes connecting major cities. Tantipiriyakij urged the government to encourage Thai Airways International to become more robust, flying to additional destinations with Phuket as a regional hub.

Additionally, Tantipiriyakij expressed hope that the government will promote Phuket as the host for the Specialized Expo 2028, with the final vote scheduled for next month. This project would bolster Thailand's tourism image and draw visitors in the meetings, exhibitions, and wellness sectors.

MFP turns attention to Senate

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is attempting to persuade senators to support its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, to become the prime minister, as the party tries to gain backing from other parties to form a coalition government.

The party has previously criticised the coup-appointed Senate and aimed to "switch off" or remove its power in joining MPs to select a prime minister, as dictated by the constitution.

However, it has now reversed its stance and must seek the Senate's support.

When a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate convenes to elect a prime minister, under the 2017 constitution, a minimum of 376 votes would be required for endorsement.

This means Limjaroenrat would require additional votes from other parties or senators.

MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon stated the party is prepared to meet senators for discussions to address any concerns they might have.

"Senators' concerns could be unfounded. If we can talk, those concerns should be eased," Chaithawat said.

"I am confident there are some senators who are mature enough and wouldn't want to see a political impasse," he added.

Some senators have previously expressed unease about the MFP's desire to modify or abolish Section 112 of the charter, the lese majeste law.

Regarding the appointment of the House Speaker, Chaithawat said that role should be filled by an MFP member, as the party won the most House seats.

When asked if the party had approached the Chartthaipattana Party to join a coalition, Chaithawat said that Limjaroenrat had recently announced a plan to form a coalition government, comprising five former opposition parties and one new party, with a combined 310 MPs and himself as prime minister.

The six parties include MFP, Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart, Seri Ruam Thai, and the Fair Party.

A source mentioned that Chaithawat is set to meet key figures from these parties to discuss forming a coalition government.

On Facebook, Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai prime minister candidate, has urged other parties, particularly the Bhumjaithai Party and the Democrats, to support Limjaroenrat for prime minister without the need for senator support.

Srettha noted that he hoped all parties would respect the public mandate by voting for Limjaroenrat.

"I, for one, support Limjaroenrat of the Move Forward Party to take the position with grace," he wrote.

He pointed out that several parties, particularly Bhumjaithai and the Democrats, had previously announced their opposition to the 2017 constitution's provision empowering senators to participate in the vote for prime minister.

"Now it's time for you to confirm your stance by voting for Limjaroenrat to be the 30th prime minister in a true democracy, without having to rely on votes from the 250 senators," he added.

In response to Limjaroenrat's request for support from other parties, former House speaker Chuan Leekpai said, "Don't expect others to think the same way. Each party can think for itself."

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam stated a new coalition government could be established on the basis of mutual respect and courteous negotiations.

"Any wish can come true when generosity is offered in exchange," he added.

"The formation of the new government is now the responsibility of the Move Forward Party, which won the highest number of House seats," he said.

The senators are entitled to their own viewpoints, but their positions should be negotiable, he said.

He also mentioned that the Election Commission would verify the election results within two months, after which the House will be convened and the parliament president appointed.

Senators slow to warm to Pita's PM bid

Senators have shown mixed opinions on whether to support Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, which secured the most House seats in the recent election, for the role of the next prime minister.

Senator Peeraksak Porjit stated that it is the responsibility of the parties to gather enough support to nominate a prime ministerial candidate for a parliamentary vote.

"Senators will also consider who they will nominate and whether the candidate is suitable," said Peeraksak, adding that senators should not abstain from voting.

Inquiring about Pita's suitability, Peeraksak remarked that the parties with the most seats should first rally support for their selections before senators scrutinise the qualifications of each contender and the policy platforms that won them their place in the parliament.

"In principle, senators should respect the decision of the majority of MPs," he said.

Senator Jetn Sirathranont shared this view.

"The poll result demonstrates that people would want [senators] to vote for candidates either from the MFP or Pheu Thai. The political party that wins the most seats has the right to gather support and form a government first. If it fails, the party winning the second-largest number of seats will be given a chance," he said.

Senator Wallop Tangkananurak also expressed support for that belief and is prepared to back a candidate nominated by a party able to gather the support of over 250 MPs.

However, Wallop questioned the MFP's earlier attempt to "switch off" or revoke the Senate's power to join MPs in selecting a prime minister in parliament.

"They [the MFP] are now calling on senators not to abstain from voting and instead support its prime ministerial candidate?" Wallop said.

Nonetheless, Jadet Insawang remained firm on not voting for Pita if he was nominated.

"Pita has been trying to eliminate Section 112 [the lese majeste law], and that is unacceptable," the senator said.

Meanwhile, Senator Seree Suwanpanont asked for the MFP to clarify its intention on whether it will completely abolish the law, as "There are several parties that disagree with the move to revise Section 112."

Poll victors to get policy wish list

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is preparing to submit a position paper outlining the economic policies favoured by businesses to the new government once it has been formed. Montri Mahaplerkpong, vice-chairman of the FTI, stated that the group is in the final stage of drafting the paper and expects it to be approved by the end of this month.

The position paper will present FTI's stance and explain what the private sector expects from the new government. The FTI is calling for the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties, which garnered the most votes in Sunday's election, to speed up the formation of a coalition government to maintain key economic policies initiated by previous administrations.

These policies include a plan to transform parts of Chon Buri, Rayong, and Chachoengsao into a high-tech industrial hub under the Eastern Economic Corridor scheme, as well as promoting electric vehicle production and consumption. The FTI also wants the new government to support bio-, circular, and green economic development, which was declared a national agenda item by the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration.

Montri Mahaplerkpong said, "If things go smoothly, the appointment of a new cabinet should be made in early August. A delay in forming the government will affect budget planning for the new fiscal year." He emphasised that Thailand needs government spending to boost its economy.

The FTI is urging authorities to eliminate barriers to investment and trade while enhancing the country's competitiveness. Thailand's ranking in the International Institute for Management Development's World Competitiveness Ranking of 63 economies dropped to 33rd last year from 28th in 2021, partly attributed to the impact of the pandemic.

FTI cites high electricity prices and a policy to raise the daily minimum wage as among the issues affecting the country's competitiveness. The Federation reported that April's Thailand Industry Sentiment Index (TISI) fell for the first time in four months to 95 points, down from 97.8 points in March. This decline is attributed to a drop in overseas goods purchase orders as the global economy cooled, and the many days off during the Songkran festival that slowed down manufacturing.

The high cost of power bills and interest rate hikes were major concerns among the 1,164 companies surveyed for the compilation of the April TISI.

Lips sealed

Outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remained quiet regarding his political future following Sunday's general election when he chaired a meeting of the caretaker cabinet on Tuesday.

When questioned by reporters about his potential departure from politics, he simply smiled and responded, "No comment."

He was similarly reserved when asked about whether he would continue to strive and stay with the United Thai Nation Party.

Prayut declined to comment on the possibility of the previous opposition party, Pheu Thai, joining forces with parties in his outgoing government and sidelining the Move Forward Party, which secured the most House seats.

After the cabinet meeting at the Government House on Tuesday, Prayut greeted reporters and the public, stating that his government remains on duty and is doing its best while awaiting the formation of a new government.

He expressed gratitude for the moral support he and his government have received throughout the past years.

The Prime Minister also thanked all voters who exercised their right in Sunday's polls and congratulated all political parties for receiving votes.

Prayut stated that he is pleased with the process of forming a new government.

"I am happy with that and would like all Thai people to cooperate and promote unity and stability in the nation, without conflict, and jointly develop the nation," Prayut said.

"This is for security, prosperity and sustainability. Adhere to the security of the important institutions of the nation for national development and the future of all Thais," he continued.

The United Thai Nation Party, which nominated Prayut as its prime ministerial candidate, finished fifth in Sunday's elections, gaining 36 House seats compared to the Move Forward Party's 152 and Pheu Thai's 141, based on the latest figures.

It was reported that thirteen ministers were absent from Tuesday's cabinet meeting.

Pheu Thai accepts MFP invitation to coalition

The Pheu Thai Party congratulated the Move Forward Party (MFP) on its election victory yesterday and accepted its proposal to form a coalition government with five other parties.

Key figures from Pheu Thai, led by leader Cholnan Srikaew and prime minister candidates Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, attended a press conference to announce their party's stance after MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat proposed the six-party alliance. This alliance would command 310 seats in the House.

At the conference, Pheu Thai also confirmed that it has no plans to compete with the MFP, which gained the most House seats in yesterday's elections, to form a new government.

"Pheu Thai accepts the fact that the MFP will lead the formation of the new government and further agrees with the invitation it has extended to parties from democratic alliances to join the new government.

"The party is of the opinion that the issues and process relating to the formation of the new government are for the MFP to decide," according to a statement released by Pheu Thai.

When asked if the party would support Pita as the prime minister, Paetongtarn said Pheu Thai would accept the people's decision.

She confirmed the party's stance against abolishing the lese majeste law, saying it is not against discussing the law in the House.

Regarding her father, ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's planned return to Thailand, she said there would be no changes to the plan unless announced otherwise. However, she insisted her father's return had nothing to do with the party.

Before the election, Thaksin expressed his desire to return home before July 26, his 74th birthday, to care for his grandchildren. He conveyed the same sentiment on May 1.

Cholnan said that details about the government formation would be handled by the party executives, adding that he had no idea how long the talks would take. At this stage, he declined to discuss Pheu Thai's conditions.

He also stated that the party was not in a position to confirm if the Bhumjaithai Party would be part of the coalition.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University, said the MFP-Pheu Thai-Bhumjaithai coalition would be the best option to defeat the 250-member Senate in the prime minister selection vote, which requires the support of at least 376 lawmakers.

Post-poll cabinet meets

Polite negotiations and kindness are essential for the successful formation of a new government, rather than trading insults, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

Wissanu, who spoke before attending a meeting of the caretaker cabinet, stated that a new coalition government could be formed, unless those involved began trading insults and were unable to reach an agreement. He also mentioned that the formation of a new government was now the burden of the Move Forward Party, which won the most House seats during the election.

Wissanu expressed that the 250 senators had the right to vote for the new prime minister, and they had different viewpoints, which should be negotiable. He pointed out that any desire could come true when generosity was offered in exchange.

He also reassured that there would be no political vacuum while the new government was being formed, as the caretaker cabinet was taking care of government business. Wissanu explained that the Election Commission would verify the election results in two months, and then the House would be called into session, the parliament president would be elected and would schedule a joint sitting to vote for the new prime minister.

"If the new prime minister is elected, that will be it. If the election is not concluded with the first vote, the process will be repeated over and over. There should not be any problems. How can there be any vacuum with the existence of the caretaker government," Wissanu stated.

On Tuesday, 13 cabinet ministers took leave of absence from the weekly meeting. This included caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit. Anutin awaits a decision on the formation of the next government, while Jurin resigned as leader of the Democrat Party after its defeat in the polls.

Outgoing Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, and when asked about his future plans, he replied that he was still the prime minister. In the meantime, Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda disclosed his intention to leave politics and mentioned that he did not know what Prayut planned to do.

Tycoon’s property unit to boost spending on tourism boom

Thailand's Asset World Corporation, a property and hotel development unit led by the country's wealthiest individual, is set to more than double its spending for acquisition and development of hotel resorts and commercial properties this year. As tourism flourishes, the company plans investments exceeding 20 billion baht (US$590 million) in 2023, up from 10 billion baht in the previous year, according to Chief Executive Officer Wallapa Traisorat. The primary projects include a tourist-focused complex in Bangkok, along with new hotels in key locations such as Pattaya and Phuket.

The second-largest economy in Southeast Asia has seen more robust growth than anticipated this year, largely due to the resurgence of tourism, which in turn boosts earnings across service industries such as airlines and hotel operators. The Finance Ministry predicts that international arrivals will nearly triple to around 30 million in 2023, a substantial increase from the previous year's 11.2 million.

Wallapa Traisorat said in an interview on Monday that Asset World must "accelerate new investments as the demand and traffic at our hotels and properties are rising much faster than expected." She believes that factors such as higher bookings and increased revenue for their hotels provide greater confidence and cash flows to pursue further acquisitions and developments.

Asset World Corporation is controlled by billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi who has an estimated net worth of US$14.8 billion. Currently, the company operates 19 hotels, nine shopping malls, and four office buildings, as per its website.

In light of the recent May 14 general election that enabled opposition parties to gain power after nine years of a conservative military-backed bloc rule, the new government is anticipated to place greater emphasis on measures that would boost tourism. As a significant driver of economic growth and employment, tourism is expected to remain a key industry focus under the new leadership.

This year, Asset World's shares have declined by 13%, compared to a 7.6% drop in the national key stock index.

Historic win faces hurdles

The Move Forward Party's (MFP) aim to form a governing coalition could face difficulties after several senators indicated they will not support the party's prime ministerial candidate. The MFP, under leader Pita Limjaroenrat, announced its intention to form a coalition government with five former opposition parties and one new party, making up 310 MPs in total. Pita has dismissed concerns that senators may not vote in favour of the proposed coalition to meet the 376 votes required for prime minister endorsement, claiming the party has a mandate from the people.

However, some senators have voiced objections. Senator Jadet Insawang stated he would not vote for Pita as the MFP's prime ministerial candidate, while Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha emphasised the importance of a prime minister's loyalty to the country, religion, and the monarchy. Senators emphasised the need to make their decision following the country's best interests.

Abhisit 'could be back' as Dem chief

The resignation of Jurin Laksanawisit as Democrat Party leader could lead to the return of former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva to head the country's oldest party, according to a Democrat source.

Before the election, Laksanawisit, who is 52 years old, set a minimum target of capturing 25 seats, but the party's failure to reach that target on Sunday resulted in his decision to relinquish the party leadership.

As of 5pm on Monday, when the Election Commission's vote count was at 99%, the Democrats had won 22 MP seats in the constituencies, but they were nearing the acquisition of three more seats from the list system.

After the polls closed at 5pm on Sunday, Laksanawisit thanked the voters who supported his party during the election.

He later posted on the Democrat Party's Line group announcing his decision to step down as party leader.

"To show responsibility for the party's election results, I hereby announce my resignation as party leader. I would like to ask you all to continue working for the party. I will stay on with the party, regardless of the position."

Abhisit, 57 years old, could make a comeback, having previously led the Democrats from March 6, 2005, to March 24, 2019.

However, if the party's top post is not filled by Abhisit, a younger politician of high calibre may be selected instead, the source said.

The source added that Laksanawisit is not expected to seek re-election as party leader.

Laksanawisit's resignation on Sunday caused the dissolution of the party executive board. A plenary party meeting will be called to elect a new board within 60 days, according to the party's rules.

Sutham Rahong, the Democrat director, said the party's new board would choose the new leader, but the timing is tied to when the EC will officially confirm Sunday's poll results.

If the confirmation comes in the next 30 days, the party will have enough time to prepare for and convene the plenary meeting. But if the confirmation is later, the party might have no choice but to call for the meeting and go ahead with the board election, he said.

The timing is crucial as the party must have a clear idea of how many MPs it will officially have, as those eligible to vote for the new leader must be separated into MPs and members, he added.

The Democrat Party is also expected to have three list MPs: Laksanawisit and two other former Democrat leaders, Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan.

Following the 2019 general election, the party had 52 MPs -- 33 from constituencies and 19 from the party list. They then joined the coalition government led by Palang Pracharath.

Economists weigh in on poll winners

The banking sector has urged the new government to prioritise improving the country's competitiveness by stimulating consumption, tourism, and private investment.

Phacharaphot Nuntramas, chief economist at Krungthai Compass, a research centre of Krungthai Bank, stated that competitiveness should be a priority for the new government to facilitate long-term economic growth. According to Nuntramas, the new government should consider competitiveness as a comprehensive package.

Competitiveness, he said, is influenced by both the income and expense sides of the business sector. Consequently, the implementation of any new economic policies, such as raising the minimum wage, would affect the sector.

"The [minimum wage] policy was campaigned for by Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties, who received the majority of votes and will form a new government coalition," Nuntramas said.

He added that the minimum wage is a factor determining the country's regional competitiveness and should be discussed among the tripartite labour groups.

Another priority for the new government to enhance the country's competitiveness, according to Nuntramas, is to secure free-trade agreements. These would contribute to sustaining Thailand's economic growth in the long term and align with global trends.

Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank, expressed the bank's desire for a smooth political transition to ensure the formation of a new government within the next two months, as planned. The country should avoid any political drama that could negatively impact economic confidence, he advised.

If the majority political parties form the new government without significant problems, Standard Chartered will then focus on economic policy, Leelahaphan said. He emphasised that boosting domestic consumption and tourism should be the priority for new economic policies, as both sectors support current economic recovery efforts.

"[Economic policies promoted during the campaign season] are expected to be toned down to implement economic policies and measures as no party is winning via a landslide in the election," Leelahaphan said.

He also suggested that the new government should concentrate on enhancing private investments to support future economic growth.

Pheu Thai loses out in North, Northeast

The Pheu Thai Party expressed gratitude to voters in Sukhothai on Monday after its candidates secured victories in all four constituencies in the province.

Somsak Thepsutin, an influential Pheu Thai figure, mentioned that although the party won 10 constituency seats across the lower North, the figure was below its targeted number.

"We had set a higher target, but we must respect the people's mandate," he said on Monday.

According to him, political parties must adapt their operation methods, emphasizing that they should utilize technology to reach out to more voters during campaigning and establish better communication with their supporters.

"What took place in the poll necessitates attention and study. It is a real eye-opener. We have to admit that despite the Pheu Thai Party having good policies, the presentation of its policies was inferior compared to its rivals," Somsak stated.

At the same time, a source within the Pheu Thai Party claimed that the party's inability to win seats in several provinces in the Northeast, including Chaiyaphum, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen, could be attributed to a weak election strategy.

"Additionally, some of our candidates were overconfident, assuming that the party's popularity was high, so they did not make much effort to attract voters. In certain situations, it was a matter of fielding inappropriate candidates in unsuitable constituencies," the source added, stating that the election strategy was devised by only a small faction of individuals within the party who were disconnected from the voters.

Varawut Silpa-archa, leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, remarked that even though the party managed to keep its seats in all five constituencies in Suphan Buri, the party's traditional stronghold, its competitor the Move Forward Party had more party-list votes than Chartthaipattana.

Sunday's election saw the return of the dual-ballot system, in which one ballot was used to choose a constituency MP and the other to select a party to guide the government.

"This is a lesson that parties could learn from," he said. "While our candidates worked diligently to meet and persuade voters, they were no match for rivals who relied on their parties' increasing popularity."

Victorious parties urged to move fast

The business sector has called for a swift establishment of a new government and the agreement on its policies by the coalition parties to boost the country's confidence. The Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman, Sanan Angubolkul, explained that the primary focus would be the acceleration of legal reforms and various welfare policies.

Sanan Angubolkul also noted that the business sector considers young people taking on leadership roles as a norm. He cited successful young entrepreneurs and leaders in countries like England, France, and Canada. The recent election has shown the public's high engagement as nearly 40 million people voted, which is over 75% of eligible voters.

Chaichan Chareonsuk, the Thai National Shippers' Council chairman, urged the new administration and elected politicians to prioritise national interests and expedite their efforts. He emphasised the importance of government stability in increasing confidence among foreign investors and the tourism industry.

Private business sectors have also called on the new government to address production costs and provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises. They noted the importance of fostering and maintaining relationships with countries in the Middle East, particularly through the Thai-United Arab Emirates Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Thai-EU FTA.

Choosri Kietkajornkul, chief executive of Ratch Group Plc, Thailand's second-largest private power producer by capacity, commented on the need to reduce electricity prices. She warned that any government plan to revise power tariffs must be carefully considered to avoid a negative impact on power companies.

Chavinda Hanratanakool, chief executive of Krungthai Asset Management and chairwoman of Asset Investment Management Companies, called for introducing more economic policies related to the capital market, vital for the country's economic growth. She also emphasised maintaining respect for independent government agencies without intervention to prevent jeopardising confidence.

The business sector awaits the formation of the new administration, hoping for a smooth continuation without causing an economic faltering.

UTN thanks South voters for poll support

Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, aged 32, expressed gratitude to the party's supporters for their votes in the recent election and stated that the party will follow the election winners' lead for forming the next government.

Speaking at Government House on Monday, after the election results were announced, Thanakorn expressed appreciation for every vote cast in favour of the party and its candidates, particularly from UTN supporters in Nakhon Si Thammarat, his hometown.

"UTN MPs from the South have achieved their targets, so I want to thank voters in Nakhon Si Thammarat for making it happen," he said.

Thanakorn noted that it is normal to lose an election and congratulated the parties that secured more votes than UTN.

"We'll have to wait and see what the next cabinet will look like," he said.

Thanakorn mentioned that UTN's leaders had assembled to discuss the results, and added that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, aged 32, instructed him to let the election winners take the lead in forming the next government.

Prayut has also instructed Thanakorn to do his best in running the caretaker government, which has three months remaining before the next government is sworn in.

When questioned about the possibility of forming a minority government, Thanakorn said the scenario appears uncertain but added that he is prepared to join the opposition bench.

Thanakorn also stated that Prayut's "eight-year pursuit for the country" was sufficient to establish his legacy.

"I think that his non-corrupt political performance over the past eight years would be enough for him to live on in people's minds," he said.

Counting complete

The Election Commission completed its vote counting on Monday morning and announced the Move Forward Party's triumph in the general election held on May 14.

Election Commission chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong revealed that the Move Forward Party secured 113 constituency MPs and 39 list seats. They were followed by Pheu Thai with 112 constituency MPs and 29 list MPs, Bhumjaithai with 67 constituency MPs and three list MPs, Palang Pracharath with 39 constituency MPs and one list MP, and the United Thai Nation Party with 23 constituency MPs and 13 list MPs.

Regarding the other parties, the Democrats secured 22 constituency MPs and three list MPs, Chartthaipattana obtained nine constituency MPs and one list MP, Prachachat garnered seven constituency MPs and two list MPs, Thai Sang Thai achieved five constituency MPs and one list MP, Peu Thai Rumphalang won two constituency MPs, Chartpattanakla got one constituency MP and one list MP, and Seriruamthai received one list MP.

Other parties that earned one list MP each included New Democracy, New Party, Thai Counties, Fair Party, Plung Sungkom Mai, and Thai Teachers for People.

Boonpracong stated that voter turnout reached a record-breaking 75.22%, surpassing the 75.03% seen in 2011.

Coalition declared

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

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

He interpreted the victory as a mandate from the people for his party to be the core in forming the next government.

Limjaroenrat said he telephoned Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Family, and congratulated her for her unwavering drive during the campaign and invited her party to join a coalition. Shinawatra, in return, congratulated Move Forward and said that, in the interests of transparency, there should be an announcement to the media that the two parties had talked.

The three other former opposition parties Limjaroenrat contacted were Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart and Seri Ruam Thai, totalling 308 MPs for the five parties combined.

Limjaroenrat said he was in touch with Pen Tham, or the Fair Party, which had one party-list MP, inviting them to join the coalition. He stated that it was a party which had worked tirelessly for peace in the three southernmost border provinces.

Together, the six parties would have 309 MPs, enough to form a majority government.

The five former opposition parties would discuss details regarding policies and work plans. They would also enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU), providing the public a look at what would happen to Thailand in the next 100 days and the year ahead.

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

Following those talks, Move Forward would meet with individuals in the government, business sectors, and those holding opposing opinions, promoting understanding.

Limjaroenrat reassured that, "We will form the government as soon as possible so that there is no political and economic vacuum. Please be reassured that Move Forward will be fast and meticulous."

When questioned whether Move Forward worried that senators would not vote to endorse the coalition and meet the required 376 votes of endorsement for prime minister, Limjaroenrat said he was not concerned. His party had a mandate from the people.

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

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

Regarding Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, Limjaroenrat 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 to propose amending legislation themselves.

Limjaroenrat said that more urgent than amending the law was the situation of people indicted in political cases and their chance of being pardoned.

When asked about concerns regarding a petition filed against him with the Election Commission over his shares in a now-defunct media firm, Limjaroenrat said he was ready to discuss this matter with the Election Commission, and people should not worry about it.

US looking forward to final election results

US Ambassador Robert Godec issued a statement on Monday regarding the general election that took place on May 14 in Thailand.

"Yesterday, tens of millions of people participated in the vote across the Kingdom of Thailand - as election observers, poll workers, members of the media, candidates, and, most importantly, voters. As a longstanding friend and ally of Thailand, the United States looks forward to the final results," the statement said.

Election Commission Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, announced on Monday that 99% of the ballots had been counted. He revealed that the Move Forward Party had won the largest number of seats. Out of the 52,238,594 eligible voters, the turnout on Sunday was a record 39,293,867 or 75.22%, surpassing 75.03% in 2011 and higher than the 2019 polls, when turnout was 74.87%.

Regarding the petition filed with the Election Commission over Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat holding shares in a defunct media firm, Ittiporn confirmed that an investigation process had already taken place.

Robert Godec is the US ambassador to Thailand.

Senators want pro-monarchy PM

Two senators have expressed their refusal to vote in support of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, aged 39, as the new prime minister, raising doubts about his attitude towards the monarchy.

Senator Jadet Insawang stated on Monday that upon taking office, he swore an oath to protect the current constitution. According to him, Sections 6 and 50 of the constitution mandate everyone to protect the constitutional monarchy.

The Move Forward Party and Pita Limjaroenrat had previously expressed their intention to abolish Section 112, which pertains to His Majesty the King. Jadet Insawang argued that this action would discredit the royal institution and was therefore unacceptable.

Section 112 falls under the lese majeste law of the Criminal Code.

Jadet Insawang declared, "If Pita Limjaroenrat is nominated [for prime minister], I will reject it because I will uphold the constitution and honour my oath." He questioned the motives behind the proposed changes to Section 112, saying, "The institution has nothing to do with you. You will change Section 112 and lessen the penalty. I am asking why."

Senator Kittisak Ratanawaraha insisted that a prime minister candidate must demonstrate loyalty to the nation, its religions, and the monarch. He explained that senators would weigh the potential impact on the country before making their decisions and that their past votes had generally been in harmony.

Furthermore, Kittisak Ratanawaraha mentioned that the Election Commission had not yet addressed a complaint about Pita Limjaroenrat's qualifications for the role.

'Dark horse' wins 2 seats in Ubon Ratchathani

In a surprising turn of events, the Peu Thai Rumphalang Party captured two seats in Ubon Ratchathani, overthrowing long-standing local MPs. The small party, which bears a similar name and logo to the Pheu Thai Party, had 11 constituency MP candidates vying for positions in the northeastern province.

The victorious candidates claimed Constituency 3 and Constituency 10 in Ubon Ratchathani. Phimphakan Phonsamak, a former president of Ubon Ratchathani's provincial administrative organisation (PAO), garnered 31,218 votes or 31.35% in Constituency 3. The runner-up in the same constituency, Chuwit Phithakphonphanlop, received 22,020 votes. Chuwit was previously associated with the Democrat Party in the 1990s and later became a long-time Pheu Thai candidate for Ubon Ratchathani.

Phimphakan has dedicated years to working for locals and remained active in providing assistance to communities during the pandemic. In Constituency 10, the Peu Thai Rumphalang Party's candidate, Somsak Bunprachom, emerged victorious with 63,127 votes or 64.79%, defeating the Pheu Thai Party's Somkhit Chueakhong, who garnered 19,351 votes.

Somsak, a contractor and president of a local club in Nam Yuen District of Ubon Ratchathani, was also known for his active involvement in helping locals during the pandemic. Some reports suggest that the sizable 50,000-vote difference between Somsak and the Pheu Thai Party's candidate may be attributed to Somsak's efforts in building connections with local residents in the Nam Yeun district.

The Peu Thai Rumphalang Party was founded on October 25, 2021, with Wasawat Poungponsri appointed as the party leader and Wichai Jitpitaklert as secretary-general. The party's office is located in Tambon Suthep in Muang district of Chiang Mai and is overseen by nine executives.

Jurin resigns as Democrat Party leader

Jurin Laksanawisit announced his resignation as leader of the Democrat Party late on Sunday night, accepting responsibility for the party's poor performance in the general election that took place on the same day.

Around 5:30pm on Sunday, Laksanawisit thanked voters who supported his party in the election after the polls closed. At 11:30pm, he posted in the Democrat Party's LINE group, stating, "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those who have been elected and extend my moral support to all candidates. Also, I would like to profoundly thank the party secretary-general (Chalermchai Sri-on), Banyat Bantadtan, Abhisit Vejjajiva, deputy party leaders, members of all working groups, executive committee members, and party members for having worked for the party to the best of their ability. To show responsibility for the party's election results, I hereby announce my resignation as the party leader. I would like to ask you all to continue working for the party. I myself will stay on with the party, regardless of in what position."

The latest update of the unofficial results of the May 14 election showed the Democrat Party had won 25 House seats - 22 from constituencies and three from the party list. After the 2019 general election, the party had 52 MPs - 33 from constituencies and 19 from the party list. It then joined the coalition government led by the Palang Pracharath Party.

As of Monday morning, the counting of constituency seat votes was 99% complete, according to the Election Commission website.

Moving forward

Voters delivered a clear rejection of nearly a decade of military-aligned rule, with election results showing support for two pro-democracy opposition parties.

The Move Forward Party (MFP), the newest force in Thai politics channelling the energy of youth-led pro-democracy protests in 2020, secured the most votes.

Led by the charismatic Pita Limjaroenrat, 42 years old, the MFP aims to reform Thailand's strict royal insult laws, setting up a potential clash with the kingdom's powerful royalist-military elite.

Thais went to the polls in large numbers after a campaign that saw a young generation yearning for change going up against the conservative elite embodied by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

"I feel like my country has (hope) for the future," said Beam, a 29-year-old personal assistant in Bangkok who voted for the MFP and took part in the 2020 protests.

"People have really opened their eyes."

However, in a kingdom where coups and court orders often trump the ballot box, there are fears that the result may still be thwarted.

With ballots counted from 99% of polling stations, Election Commission data showed MFP on 14 million in the popular vote followed by Pheu Thai on 10.6 million.

The United Thai Nation party, led by Prayut -- the ex-army chief who seized power in a 2014 coup -- was a distant third on 4.6 million.

While not declaring victory, Pita said late on Sunday that a coalition deal was "definitely on the cards".

But in a sign of the potential flashpoints ahead, Pita repeated a promise to reform the lese majeste law that invokes harsh prison terms for insulting the monarchy.

This was an issue once deemed untouchable in Thai politics, and which rival opposition Pheu Thai shied away from during the campaign.

"No matter what, we will push for royal lese majeste law reform," Pita told reporters on Sunday.

- Work together -

Pheu Thai, which has been the most popular party for two decades, had been hoping for a landslide win that would allow it to lead a coalition.

Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of party patriarch and exiled billionaire Thaksin, congratulated MFP on their success and signalled cooperation in a potential future government.

"We can work together," she said.

And despite their success, MFP and Pheu Thai still face many hurdles to secure power, due to a junta-scripted 2017 constitution.

The new premier will be chosen jointly by the 500 elected MPs in the lower house, plus 250 senate members appointed by Prayut's junta.

This stacks the deck in the army's favour.

Adding to the uncertainty, rumours are already swirling that MFP could be dissolved by court order -- the same fate that befell its predecessor Future Forward Party after it performed unexpectedly well at the 2019 elections.

The Election Commission is not expected to officially confirm the final number of seats won by each party for several weeks.

But early Monday it forecast MFP and Pheu Thai to each win 112 out of a total of 400 constituency seats. MFP would then likely secure a greater number of the remaining 100 seats to be allocated to parties on a proportional basis.

- Protest legacy -

This election was the first since the 2020 protest that demanded curbs on the power and spending of Thailand's king.

The demonstrations petered out as Covid-19 curbs were imposed and dozens of leaders were arrested, but their energy fuelled growing support for the more radical opposition MFP.

"Younger generations these days care about their rights and they will come out to vote," Pita told reporters as he arrived to vote on Sunday.

MFP sought millennial and Gen Z voters, who make up nearly half the 52 million-strong electorate, but early results indicated their inroads across all demographics.

The party swept Bangkok, capturing every district but one.

It is predicted to also take districts in the staunchly Pheu Thai northern territories -- even flipping Thaksin Shinawatra's home district near the northern city Chiang Mai.

Vote buys 'rampant' in Bangkok

Most of the vote-buying reports received by the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday were reported in Bangkok, which has the most constituencies out of all provinces, the poll body said.

However, the number of poll-related violations was lower than in past polls, it said.

EC secretary-general, Sawaeng Boonmee, said the commission received 163 complaints on Sunday, 58 of which were about vote-buying, 55 about fraud, while 17 were about abuse of power by state officials supervising the polls.

Incidents of vote-buying were reported across many regions, though the majority were reported in Bangkok, he said.

According to the national police chief, Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, over 150,000 officers were deployed to maintain peace and order across 94,737 polling stations across the country.

In the past two to three days, at least three people have been charged over vote-buying. Police officers are also investigating vandalism of campaign banners, he said.

Deputy national police chief and head of the Royal Thai Police's election administration centre, Pol Gen Roy Inkapairoj, said most complaints received by the centre were about the destruction of campaign banners.

According to Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Chintakanon, the centre's spokesman, over 1,000 candidates' banners were vandalised during the campaign period.

On Saturday night, there was a spike in vote-buying complaints in Kanchanaburi, while in Ayutthaya, local police have enough evidence to charge several individuals on vote-buying charges.

Meanwhile, former politician and whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit said that in Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Pathum Thani, Songkhla, and Yala, at least 100 people handed out 500 baht each to local villagers to buy their votes. It is unclear what kind of evidence he has to back his claims.

Political party leaders kick off nationwide vote

Party leaders joined large crowds of Thai voters at polling stations across the country yesterday in an election that will determine whether Prayut Chan-o-cha will be replaced as prime minister after eight years in power.

Prayut, the prime ministerial candidate for the United Thai Nation Party, arrived at polling station number 10 in Phayathai district and was greeted by a group of local and foreign journalists.

Srettha Thavisin, 48, a Pheu Thai Party candidate for prime minister, arrived before 8am at polling station number 16 at City Lake Tower in Soi Sukhumvit 16.

Speaking to reporters, Thavisin said he was pleased to vote again after a long wait. He urged Thais to turn up in large numbers, expressing confidence that the country would see a change after the polls closed at 5pm.

Paetongtarn 'Ung Ing' Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, arrived at polling station number 15 at Kheha Thani 3 in the Ram Intra area of Khannayao district just after 10.30am.

Paetongtarn was accompanied by her mother Khunying Potjaman Damapong and her elder sister Pintongtha Shinwatra Kunakornwong, who also voted at the station.

A large number of Thai and foreign reporters greeted her as well.

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party, appeared at polling station number 10 at Soi Sukhumvit 30 at 9.30am.

After casting his vote, Limjaroenrat said he had done his best to win support. Like other party leaders, he hoped Thais would turn up in large numbers to make their voices heard.

Prawit Wongsuwon, prime ministerial candidate and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, cast his vote at polling station number 11 in Wang Thong Lang district shortly after 8am.

Sudarat Keyuraphan, Thai Sang Thai Party leader and candidate for prime minister, arrived at polling station number 33 in the Chompol area of Chatuchak district at 8.40am. She was accompanied by her family.

Photographs showed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Pheu Thai's Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin, and Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwon casting their votes at their respective polling stations. Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was seen voting in tambon Isan of Buri Ram.

Practice what you preach

Political parties have promised several populist policies to attract voters in the upcoming general election, including a controversial 10,000 baht handout to individuals aged 16 and over, raising the minimum daily wage to 600 baht, increasing the minimum monthly salary for university graduates to 25,000 baht, debt relief for farmers, immediate cuts in electricity tariffs, and an increase in the monthly allowance for those aged 60 and above. The Thailand Development Research Institute estimates that at least three trillion baht would be required to fulfil 87 populist policies proposed by nine political parties.

Voters are curious to know where the massive funds to support these policies will come from. Will the government need to increase borrowing, which might lead to skyrocketing public debt? Are these policies necessary and what will be their impact on the country's competitiveness in the short and long term? How will the huge spending affect an already bloated government budget and widen the fiscal deficit?

The most pressing questions for voters are how politicians plan to generate income and the likelihood of higher taxes to offset the massive spending spree if politicians deliver on their campaign promises.

Kobsak Pootrakool, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations, states that the two options for the new government are increasing borrowing or collecting more taxes to fund short-term populist policies. However, the new government could face limitations from fiscal policy that may hinder their ability to fulfil their promises because public debt should not exceed 60% of total GDP.

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), believes that increasing state revenue through tax collection is not the only way to fund higher spending. He suggests that the new government focus on building new industries and businesses that are financially prepared to pay taxes, turning to more high-tech sectors that allow manufacturers to rely less on labour and generate more income.

Kriengkrai acknowledges that this will be a challenging task for the new government, as it necessitates a long-term plan closely tied to efforts to grow the Thai economy. Greater tax collection seems to be the more likely method to generate higher revenue.

Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, emphasises the importance of considering the feasibility of these policies and the country's financial capability to avoid negative impacts and burdens in the future. He states that each political party has proposed reallocating the existing budget without increasing debt, reducing or reworking budgets for various government agencies.

Speakers at a recent chamber forum agreed that tax reform should be pursued to streamline laws, remove redundant rules, and attract business investment by increasing tax incentives for targeted industries such as bio-, circular and green technologies and the environment.

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, Vice-President of Thai Hotels Association (THA), believes that to increase tax revenues, the government should legalise unregistered accommodations to include them in the tax system through registration in accordance with the Hotel Act. Unregistered accommodations, such as shared houses, apartments, or small lodges, were estimated to comprise 50% of total accommodation in Thailand in 2019, according to THA.

Somchai Lertsutiwong, Chief Executive of Advanced Info Service, says that financial resources are not crucial for a new government aiming to restart economic growth, as it can reallocate the remaining budget and seek new borrowing. He advises that the new government should facilitate long-term growth by improving the capability of small and medium-sized enterprises and pursuing medium-term development by reorganising economic engines to lead the economy towards sustainable growth.

Suphachai Chearavanont, Chairman of the Digital Council of Thailand, asserts that Thailand should embrace digital transformation, adding that transforming key sectors, especially agriculture, will help generate revenue for the country. He recommends establishing an agro/food security hub focusing on food sustainability, transforming the agro-industry through technologies such as smart farming, food tech, and digitalisation, and promoting Thai brands globally.

Vote buys 'rampant' in Bangkok

The majority of vote-buying reports received by the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday were reported in Bangkok, which has the largest number of constituencies among all provinces, according to the poll body. However, they stated that the number of poll-related violations was lower than in previous elections.

Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee disclosed that the commission received 163 complaints on Sunday, with 58 concerning vote-buying, 55 about fraud, and 17 about the abuse of power by state officials overseeing the polls. Vote-buying incidents were reported across various regions, with the majority coming from Bangkok.

National police chief, Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, stated that more than 150,000 officers were deployed to maintain peace and order across 94,737 polling stations throughout the country. Over the past two to three days, at least three individuals have been charged with vote-buying. Additionally, police officers are investigating the vandalism of campaign banners.

Deputy national police chief and head of the Royal Thai Police's election administrative centre, Pol Gen Roy Inkapairoj, reported that the majority of complaints they received were about the destruction of campaign banners. Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Chintakanon, the centre's spokesperson, said more than 1,000 candidates' banners were vandalised during the campaign period.

Vote-buying complaints saw a spike on Saturday night in Kanchanaburi, while local police in Ayutthaya have sufficient evidence to charge several individuals with vote-buying charges. Former politician and whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit claimed that at least 100 people distributed 500 baht (US$15) each to villagers in Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Pathum Thani, Songkhla, and Yala to buy their votes. It remains unclear what evidence he has to support his claims.

Pita: MFP, Pheu Thai can form government

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 turns 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,'' Thavisin 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,'' Thavisin said.

Asked whether he was concerned about allegations of poll fraud, Thavisin 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, Thavisin 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, 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, 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, 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.

Pita, 42 years old, 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.

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," Wissanu said. Asked whether the country will undergo big changes after the poll, 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," 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," 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.

Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate, is surrounded by reporters as he arrives at the party head office after the polls closed at 5pm on Sunday. On the right is Paetongtarn Shinawatra, another of the party's prime ministerial candidates.

New generation tires of old guard

Academics predict that the Move Forward Party (MFP) will form a coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party and smaller parties.

Their opinions were sought after the Election Commission (EC) began counting votes following the closure of polling stations on Sunday. As of 9:11pm, the MFP was leading in both constituency and party-list races, followed by the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party. The count continued, with unofficial results anticipated around 11pm on Sunday, according to the EC.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University, spoke about the latest Suan Dusit Poll results before the election, indicating that the MFP and Pheu Thai can form a coalition without Senate or Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) support. Despite this, the Nida Poll reveals that the PPRP and the United Thai Nation Party retain a shot at a coalition, said Wanwichit.

Wanwichit observed a Liberal victory over the Conservatives, attributable to new generation voters growing weary of political conservatism. He suggested the MFP's victory was unlikely to result in a coup, although the party would need to make certain compromises concerning economic policies. He advises that the MFP wisely hand the defence portfolio to Pheu Thai to demonstrate a willingness for cooperation.

If the Pheu Thai Party secures the most seats, a partnership with the MFP is still probable. However, the details of ministerial post allocation will require negotiations between the two parties. Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University, predicts that if the MFP obtains the most seats, a coalition with Pheu Thai, led by MFP leader Pita Limcharoenrat as the new prime minister, is likely to ensue. In this case, Pheu Thai may have to make concessions to the MFP, which might negatively impact the planned return of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Olarn said.

Furthermore, Olarn suggests that Pheu Thai could refuse a coalition with the MFP. If the MFP cannot gain enough support from other parties, it could result in an opposition alliance and Pheu Thai forming a coalition with parties like the PPRP.

Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, Programme Director for Politics and Development Strategy at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), shares a similar view. He believes the most likely coalition to be MFP and Pheu Thai, with the party winning the most seats having the right to nominate its prime minister candidate for a parliamentary vote. If the two parties cannot secure at least 376 MP support, they may need to rely on other parties, such as the Chartthaipattana Party, to strengthen the coalition.

A coalition consisting of Pheu Thai, the Bhumjaithai Party and the PPRP is also feasible, which would force the MFP into an opposition role, Phichai said.

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), commented that a new government formed by major opposition parties could result in new policies, such as increased daily minimum wages and continuation of successful economic plans from previous governments. While this benefits workers, it might have an adverse effect on labour-intensive businesses due to increased operating costs.

Kriengkrai expressed concern that if the wage raise policy is not implemented gradually, some companies might consider relocating their production bases to neighbouring countries. He also urged the new government to continue key economic policies like the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development scheme, as substantial investments have already been made in EEC infrastructure, which is projected to be a significant driver for the country's economy.

Vote count underway

The Election Commission (EC) commenced the counting of votes following the conclusion of the general election at 5pm on Sunday.

By 12:34am, the Move Forward Party had secured the lead in both the constituency and party-list races, with the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party trailing behind.

Anutin casts vote in marijuana-print shirt

Public Health Minister and cannabis advocate Anutin Charnvirakul caught attention during Sunday's election when he arrived to cast his vote at a polling station wearing a dark shirt adorned with bright green marijuana leaves.

The 56-year-old is the prime ministerial candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party, which has campaigned on a promise to promote medical marijuana following their successful push for the substance's decriminalisation last year.

However, without associated regulations in place, recreational use increased, angering the country's conservatives. Anutin has promised that if re-elected, he will tighten regulations to curb recreational use and restrict cannabis consumption to medical purposes only.

Anutin flashed a smile as he emerged from a voting booth, but declined to answer reporters' questions about the symbolism of his shirt.

His party, which ran on the same platform in the 2019 election, secured fifth place then, providing it with a position in the current military-backed government. It is likely to repeat that performance this year.

Police probe voters who tore ballot papers

Several provinces reported incidents of people tearing ballot papers, but the violators – mostly elderly individuals with health issues – insisted they had no intention of destroying the ballot papers and acted out of misunderstanding.

After the polls closed, the Royal Thai Police announced that their election coordination centre had received information that approximately 20 voters across the country had torn up ballot papers.

In Songkhla's Hat Yai, a 76-year-old retiree tore her green ballot for the party-list system into two pieces because she did not see a purple ballot and thought only one was used. When the woman who claimed to have a problem with her eyesight brought the two pieces to the officials to ask what to do next, she got handed over to the police and faced charges of violating election law.

A 77-year-old man in Phuket's Thalang district tore his marked ballot papers because he believed he was supposed to. His relatives told police the man was treated for an ischemic stroke and suffered memory loss. He was initially charged with damaging the ballot, and his family was instructed to submit evidence of his illness to the police and the provincial election office.

Udon Thani, a north-eastern province, reported two cases of ballot-paper tearing. The first case involved an 84-year-old man who tore the ballot paper for the party-list system at a polling station in Nong Wua So district. The man, reportedly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, informed poll officials that he thought he lost the purple ballot, leading him to tear the green ballot paper into two pieces and place them into the two ballot boxes.

A 61-year-old man in Kut Chap district tore a purple ballot paper out of frustration because he could not find the number he wanted to vote for. He approached poll officials for a new ballot and found out his actions were illegal. The voter informed the police that he confused the constituency and party-list ballots and was unaware tearing the ballot paper went against election laws.

Samut Prakan also reported two incidents of ballot-paper tearing by an 87-year-old woman and an 83-year-old man at two voting stations. Both reportedly suffered from Alzheimer's disease and were found to have damaged the ballot papers unintentionally.

In Krabi's Muang district, a case involving a 21-year-old man who claimed to be a first-time voter came to light. He tore both ballots after marking them, dropped the marked parts into the ballot boxes, and kept the rest. He told authorities that he tried to ask election officials what to do after marking the ballots, but they did not hear him, so he assumed he was supposed to tear the ballots and put the marked parts in the boxes.

Lastly, in Phrae's Sung Men district, election officials ruled as an accident a case in which a drunk 36-year-old voter fell in a polling booth and damaged one of the ballot papers. The case was included in a police incident report.

Red, orange, go?

The Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, expressed confidence on Sunday evening that a coalition government could be formed with the Pheu Thai Party, enabling the two parties to take control.

Limjaroenrat indicated that exit polls pointed to MFP and Pheu Thai potentially having enough House seats to form the next Thai government. "This is a positive sign," he said. "It’s time for Thailand to change."

Limjaroenrat anticipated discussions about a possible coalition with Pheu Thai to begin at around 10pm or 11pm. "A collaboration of the opposition parties is the perfect way to deal with the challenges the country faces. We will change Thailand together,” the MFP leader stated.

In a message on the party's Facebook page, Move Forward expressed gratitude for the public's trust, pledging to "push forward progressive policies and build the Thailand that we dream of together, as quickly as possible."

The 42-year-old Harvard-educated Pita mentioned that the formation of a governing coalition would be subject to a memorandum of understanding and conditions. He dismissed the possibility of forming a government with the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. However, the MFP leader did not rule out the potential involvement of the Bhumjaithai Party, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in a coalition.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin stated on Sunday night that his party was leading in the polls, and he remained confident that the Thaksin-linked party would be the overall winner. He revealed that Pita had not yet contacted Pheu Thai, but when the time came to discuss partnerships, Pheu Thai would prioritise talks with parties sharing a similar political stance.

Thavisin also expressed disappointment with Pheu Thai's performance in the constituency elections in Bangkok. MFP was projected to secure the most House seats representing the capital.

Translation of Election Commission announcement

The Office of the Election Commission has invited members of the public to observe the live vote-counting process on the website www.ectreport.com.

For individuals unable to vote in the upcoming elections, there are three available methods to report their inability:

1. Notify the local or district registrar.

2. Send a letter by downloading a form from the Election Commission of Thailand's website and either sending it personally, having someone else submit it, or mailing it.

3. Report through the stat.bora.dopa.go.th website or the Smart Vote app.

Keep in mind that reports of inability to vote can be submitted from May 7-13 and May 15-21.

Failure to vote without providing a reason will result in penalties for two years, including being unable to apply for specific elected positions such as a Member of the House of Representatives, Senator, or village headman, as well as being unable to hold certain political civil servant positions.

1) Polling Places consist of regular polling places, advance voting polling places in the constituencies, outside of the constituencies, overseas voting and polling places for the disabled or elderly (only in 21 provinces).

2) Regular Polling Places (Sunday, May 14)

Counting starts right after 5pm without delay at such polling places.

Vote counting results will be announced, as soon as the count is finished, in the form of Sor.Sor. 5/18 (ส.ส. 5/18), which includes the following details:

3) Advance voting polling places: voting in the constituencies and polling places for the disabled, handicapped or elderly (May 7)

Votes will be counted on the same day as the regular polling places, on Sunday (May 14).

Counting starts right after 5pm (without delay) at the place designated by the Constituency’s Election Committee (at the Administrative Center of such constituency).

Vote counting results will be announced in the form of Sor.Sor. 5/16 (ส.ส. 5/16), which includes the following details:

4) Advance voting polling places: voting out of the constituencies, overseas voting, and voting places for the disabled, handicapped, or elderly (Sunday, March 7, for overseas voting, on the date set by the Ambassadors).

Votes will be counted on the same day as the regular polling places, on Sunday (May 14).

Counting starts right after 5pm (without delay) at the place designated by the Constituency’s Election Committee (at the Administrative Center of such constituency or other places if there are large numbers of registered voters).

Vote counting results will be announced in the form of Sor.Sor. 5/17 (ส.ส. 5/17), which includes the following details:

5) The Constituency’s Election Committee gathers vote counting results of the candidates in the constituency basis in 2, 3, and 4 at the Administrative Center of such constituency. When the vote aggregation is finished, the results will be announced immediately in descending order. The candidate who obtains the highest number of votes, provided it is higher than the number of votes cast for not electing anyone, shall be elected. The aggregated results will be displayed on a large billboard at the Administrative Center of such constituency.

6) The Constituency’s Election Committee gathers vote counting results of the candidates in the party-list system in Nos 2, 3, and 4 at the Administrative Center of such constituency. When the votes aggregation is finished, the results will be immediately announced in consecutive order of the party list. The said results will then be forwarded to the Office of the Election Commission, where the results from all 400 constituencies will be aggregated and the proportion of elected candidates of the party list calculated. The aggregated results of each constituency will be displayed on a large billboard at the Administrative Center.

7) Aggregated results of Nos 5 and 6 are expected to be publicly released around 6.30pm.

The process of aggregation will proceed continuously. It is estimated that the final results will be known by 11pm on Sunday (May 14).

8) Security of Documents: an announcement of vote counting results of each polling station

Vote counting results forms shall be made in 3 copies. The first copy will be used for vote aggregation. The second copy will be posted in front of polling places for the benefit of the public.

The third copy will be stored in the ballot boxes along with used ballots (ballot casts) and the tally mark form. Only the Election Commission has the power to decide on the opening of the ballot box.

9) Transparency of Documents: an announcement of vote counting results

The results announcement will be posted in front of each polling place and each vote counting place.

The said announcement will also be posted on all Provincial and Bangkok Election Commission Office websites within five days of the election date.

The vote count will proceed over the following five stages:

1) The Polling Station Committees of regular polling stations and Vote Counting Committees of advance voting – both inside and outside each constituency – and polling stations for the disabled, handicapped, and elderly.

2) The District Sub-Committees in 76 provinces and the Sub-Committee of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

3) The Constituency Election Committee in each of the 400 constituencies.

4) The Provincial and Bangkok Offices of the Election Commission with the Director of the Provincial and Bangkok Office as head.

5) The Office of the Election Commission with the Secretary-General as head.

Election Results Announcement

The Election Commission will examine and make an announcement on the election results expeditiously. The announcement must be made no later than 60 days from the election date.

Third place

BURI RAM: Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as the head of the Bhumjaithai Party, expressed that his party was most likely to finish third in the struggle for House seats, although he had previously hoped for second place.

Speaking with journalists in the northeastern province, Anutin said, "At first, I believed Bhumjaithai would be in second position, but it is in third. I congratulate the leading parties, namely Move Forward and Pheu Thai."

Anutin mentioned that his party was likely to secure more House seats and achieve victory in several provinces for the first time in Sunday's general election. The party had aspired to represent a Bangkok constituency, but that dream would not be realised in this election, he added.

Anutin chose not to reveal his thoughts about Bhumjaithai's potential participation in forming a new government or whether his party would preserve its alliance with other parties from the previous government.

He stated that he would prefer to wait for more definitive results from the election.

Gen Prawit tight-lipped on Move Forward Party's popularity

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, acting as the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, avoided commenting on the unexpected success of the Move Forward Party in Sunday's general election.

Prawit, who is 72 years old, arrived at his party's headquarters around 9pm on Sunday. He greeted key party members with a smile and a friendly pat on the shoulder before addressing the media from a podium.

He expressed his gratitude towards journalists and all the voters who supported his party, stating that he appreciated their backing regardless of the election outcome.

"Other topics will be discussed later. It's not the time yet. We must wait longer because vote counting has not finished," Prawit said.

When questioned about the potential major victory for the Move Forward Party, Prawit remained silent.

Similarly, he did not respond when asked if he was feeling discouraged.

Prawit promptly left the podium, concluding his press conference after just about a minute.

Staying in politics

General Prayut Chan-o-cha will continue his involvement in politics, and his United Thai Nation Party (UTN) will adhere to established norms regarding the formation of a new government, as stated by the party leader.

The UTN, which has General Prayut as its prime ministerial candidate, will honour political traditions during the power handover to the next government, according to its leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga's statement on Sunday night.

"We will not deviate from tradition in this matter," he said, seemingly referring to the convention that the political party obtaining the highest number of House seats has the right to establish the new government.

"We have given our best efforts during the time we have had," mentioned Pirapan. The UTN was established two years ago.

When asked if General Prayut, the current prime minister, would continue his involvement in politics and remain with the UTN, Pirapan confirmed that General Prayut would act as the party's chief strategist.

In a separate event, General Prayut briefly spoke to reporters at the UTN headquarters.

He expressed his gratitude to all the voters who supported him and his political party, stating that he had done everything possible to work in the nation's best interest and promote development. He also emphasised his respect for democracy.

General Prayut refrained from commenting on the Pheu Thai Party's likelihood of forming a new government, or the possibility of a minority government emerging from the 250 senators' votes.

Afterward, he made his way through the crowd of reporters and left the scene.

Pheu Thai's Paetongtarn says party with most votes will lead next govt

The daughter of Thailand's former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, stated that the party with the most votes in Sunday's election will lead the next government, as her Pheu Thai Party took a significant lead alongside the progressive opposition Move Forward Party.

Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, a prime ministerial candidate for Pheu Thai, spoke after 50% of eligible votes had been counted and mentioned that she was pleased with Move Forward's progress.

"The voice of the people is most important," she told reporters.

Paetongtarn encouraged supporters to be patient, expressing a strong belief in their impending victory.

Srettha Thavisin, another candidate for premier, said that Pheu Thai "will prioritise talks with pro-democratic parties." His group has yet to engage in discussions with Move Forward, according to Thavisin.

Pro-democracy parties have broadened their lead in the general election held on Sunday, which saw the preliminary count placing them on the path to seize power from a military-backed government that has held control for nearly a decade.

Election Day goes smoothly despite rain: EC

The general election on Sunday proceeded smoothly, despite rain in some areas, with a large number of people turning up to vote, according to Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee.

Voters were seen queuing up at all polling stations in the morning, indicating high responsiveness, and there were no reports of traffic problems, Sawaeng said.

Individuals who noticed any mistakes by polling officials or encountered any inconvenience during the lead-up to the 5pm closing time were able to report them to officials at the polling stations, he added.

The commissioner warned that voters were prohibited from taking pictures of their marked or destroyed ballot papers, wearing shirts with party logos or candidate numbers, and taking ballot papers out of the voting area. Gambling on election results was also not allowed.

After voting closed, individuals or representatives from political parties could observe vote counting at all 400 polling stations nationwide.

Sawaeng reported that 183 petitions had been filed with the EC so far, primarily regarding alleged vote-buying and campaign smears.

Voters at Democracy Monument polling station

Casting off

Party leaders joined crowds of Thai voters at polling stations across the country early on Sunday to cast their votes in an election that will determine whether Prayut Chan-o-cha will be ousted and replaced as prime minister after eight years in power.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong began his inspection of polling stations in Bangkok before 8am at Suan Bua School in Soi Ratchakhru, Phayathai district, where polling stations 25-27 are located. Ittiporn cast his ballot at polling station 26, designated for 973 voters. He was number 522 on the list. He stated that so far, the EC had received 163 petitions related to the election – 58 concerning alleged vote-buying, 55 on campaign smears, and 17 on abuse of power on the part of government officials. In the 2019 election, there were a total of 592 petitions, Ittiporn added. The EC chairman then left with an entourage, heading for polling stations in Pathum Thani province.

Prayut, a prime ministerial candidate from the United Thai Nation Party, arrived at polling station 10 in Phayathai district at about 9:06am and was greeted by a throng of Thai and foreign news reporters. He was number 163 on the voters' list. His wife Naraporn and daughters Thanya and Nittha Chan-o-cha were to cast their ballots later at the same polling station.

Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai Party candidate for the post of prime minister, arrived before 8am at polling station 16 at City Lake Tower in Soi Sukhumvit 16. He was number 154 on the voters' list. Speaking to reporters, Srettha said he was glad to vote again after a long wait. He called for Thai citizens to turn up in large numbers, saying he was confident the country would see change after the polls closed at 5pm. Srettha said he would be at the Pheu Thai headquarters after 5:30pm to follow the vote count.

Prawit Wongsuwon, the prime ministerial candidate and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, cast his vote at polling station 11 in Wang Thong Lang district shortly after 8am. He was number 470 on the list of eligible voters. He invited all those eligible to exercise their right to vote, saying the country's future hinged on their decision.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party, turned up at polling station 10 at Soi Sukhumvit 30 at 9:30am. After casting his vote, Pita said he had done his best to win popular support in the election. Like other party leaders, he said he hoped Thai voters would turn up in large numbers to make their voices heard. Pita said he was satisfied with and excited by the overall atmosphere after working hard on the campaign trail.

Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, arrived at polling station 15 at Kheha Thani 3 in Ram Intra area, Khannayao district shortly after 10:30am. She was number 889 on the voters' list. Paetongtarn was accompanied by her mother Khunying Potjaman Damapong and her elder sister Pintongtha Shinwatra Kunakornwong, who also voted at the same station. She was also greeted by a large number of Thai and foreign reporters.

Sudarat Keyuraphan, the Thai Sang Thai Party leader who is also a candidate for prime minister, arrived at polling station 33 in Chompol area in Chatuchak district at 8:40am. She was accompanied by her family members. She said she hoped the election would bring change for the better to Thailand.

Chartpattanakla to back party with most MPs to form govt

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The Chartpattanakla Party has announced it will support the party that secures the most seats in the House of Representatives in forming the government after the election, according to party chairman Suwat Liptapanlop.

Suwat, who is also the party's candidate for prime minister, urged all parties to accept the election results after casting his vote at polling station number 169 at Wat Lak Roy temple in Muang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. He was 250th on the voters' list. Suwat was accompanied to the polling station by his younger brother, Tewan, who is the party's secretary-general.

The Chartpattanakla chairman expressed his desire for a clean and fair election, stressing that all parties should accept the outcome, whatever it may be, in order to allow the country to progress. Chartpattanakla, led by former Democrat Party member Korn Chatikavanij, is prepared to back the party with the most MPs to form a government, he added.

Suwat confirmed that he would be at the party's head office in Nakhon Ratchasima to follow the voting results.

Senators: PM votes unbiased and in country's best interest

A number of senators on Saturday sought to reassure the public that the vote for the next prime minister will be free from influence and there are mixed opinions as to the best choice among members of the upper House.

Seree Suwanpanont said senators have their own opinions and criteria when selecting the prime minister, and noted that those who express their views do not represent the majority.

Seree said that, personally, he will consider more than just votes and examine the qualifications, calibre and experiences of each prime minister candidate when casting his vote.

The number of House seats each party wins will determine if it is eligible to nominate a prime minister candidate for parliament to vote on.

"But for senators, they don't necessarily vote the same way as the people.

"If the Senate has to vote the same way as the majority of MPs, we don't need the Senate. This Senate has to do screening. They have a special role, and they must know what their role is," he said.

Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said that although the constitution does not require the Senate to vote in line with the MPs, senators can't afford to discard the fact the government should have majority support in the House or it can't pass key bills.

However, the Senate must also screen candidates for key public posts, and the post of prime minister is most important of all, he said.

"We don't know who will win the election and who will be nominated. Some parties have three candidates.

"So, I think I will need room to think carefully to make a decision that will benefit the country," he said.

Khamnoon said the next government will face many challenges and the Senate wants to ensure the prime minister it chooses can steer the country away from crises and make a difference on the global stage.

Chalermchai Fuengkhon said he will vote for the bloc that commands a majority in the House and noted that he cannot speak for his fellow senators.

"Parties shouldn't count on the Senate to support them.

"If they want to be the government, it is their job to gather 376 votes among themselves," he said.

Vote-buying claims put police on alert

Police have announced plans to monitor areas suspected of vote-buying during the upcoming elections in three highly contested provinces. National police chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas confirmed the arrest of a man in Bueng Kan on vote-buying charges, with evidence including money and ID cards.

Damrongsak has instructed the provincial police chief to work with election officials on the case. Authorities have set up checkpoints in areas suspected of vote-buying, with rapid response teams prepared to address complaints. Provinces expected to have closely contested elections include Samut Prakan, Nakhon Sawan, Chon Buri, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ratchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

In the Bueng Kan incident, a suspect was arrested on May 10 with 22 500-baht notes and a list of residents. The suspect allegedly planned to distribute the money to villagers in exchange for their support of a candidate in Constituency 3. Following charges of vote-buying, the suspect was temporarily released.

Constituency 3 is a newly formed constituency, covering areas in the three districts of Phon Charoen, So Phisai, and Pak Khat. Candidates from three major parties are competitively vying for the position.

In addition, two allegations of vote-buying were reported in Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Phanom on Friday. In Kanchanaburi, an assistant to a village head attempted to pay off election volunteers investigating a vote-buying claim. Authorities found money and a list of voters in the assistant's possession, leading to her arrest and statement to the provincial election office.

In Nakhon Phanom, an election campaign assistant was accused of vote-buying, with authorities discovering 195,000 baht in 500-baht and 1,000-baht notes in his bag. The individual denied any vote-buying attempts, claiming the money was for stocking his grocery store.

Decision day

Approximately 50 million Thais are eligible to vote on Sunday in an election that will determine the future of the nation, either bringing about radical change or maintaining the status quo. Roughly two million people have already participated in advance voting.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong stated on Saturday, "This election is seen as a national agenda item to express the power of clean elections," emphasising the importance of no vote-buying or vote-selling. Voters will receive two ballot papers at the polling stations, a purple one for selecting a local member of parliament and a green one for choosing their preferred party to govern the country.

The EC anticipates an 85% voter turnout for Sunday's election. The decision for Thais lies between the continued rule of the elite, whose political and economic measures have resulted in significant inequality, or the nation's aspiration for a truly democratic government that empowers citizens and alleviates poverty.

A total of 70 parties, 1,898 list-MP candidates, and 4,781 MP candidates have registered to contest this election, and 43 parties have named 63 individuals as prime ministerial candidates. The new Prime Minister will be determined at a later date.

Ittiporn informed that the EC is prepared to facilitate Sunday's election and guarantee it runs smoothly. Unofficial election results are expected to start being reported from 6.30pm. Advance voting marked ballots have already been forwarded to their respective polling stations for counting alongside ballots cast on Sunday, according to Thailand Post.

Over 147,500 police officers will be stationed at close-to 95,000 polling stations nationwide on Sunday, ensuring law and order, said national police chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas.

Before the election, the police addressed various crimes from May 4 to Thursday, detaining nearly 35,900 suspects. Almost 9,600 of these individuals were wanted for weapon-related charges, while about 3,300 individuals were arrested for online offences.

Approximately 40 suspects have been prosecuted, and around 50 others have been questioned by the police for a total of 184 election-related incidents. The public is encouraged to report any suspicions or observations of election law violations to the appropriate authorities at the police 191 and 1599 hotlines or the Election Commission 1444 hotline.

The Fourth Army has informed voters, particularly those in the deep South, that security measures have been reinforced for Sunday's voting, according to Lt Gen Santi Sakultanak, commander of the southern regional army. Tripartite security teams consisting of soldiers, police, and defence volunteers have been deployed in Yala, Patani Narathiwat, and some parts of Songkhla provinces to ensure public safety on election day. Security officials stationed at polling stations are also being instructed to maintain political neutrality.

EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee revealed that some marked ballots from advance voting, mistakenly sent to incorrect provinces for vote-counting, have been redirected to the appropriate provinces. Furthermore, all marked ballots from advance overseas voting have been delivered to polling stations.

Voters are advised to visit the Bureau of Registration Administration website to check their designated voting locations for Sunday.

All quiet on the Mekong front

Mekong civil society groups are urging the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to shift their Mekong River policy towards protecting ecosystems and promoting environmental justice. The environmental campaigners and activists have spoken out ahead of Sunday's election in Thailand and an upcoming poll in Cambodia (July 23).

The groups want to reverse the current stance towards hydropower investment in favour of preserving the river's rich biological treasures and unique ecosystems, as well as the environmental rights of local communities across the region.

As a result of hydropower dam development in the Mekong region, the entire stretch of the Mekong River is now facing environmental crises that are damaging the river's ecosystems and rich natural resources, on which over 60 million people across the region depend.

Chanang Umparak, from The Mekong Butterfly, an environmental group based in Thailand, said the projects may well determine the fate of the mighty Mekong. Six nations share this international river, but the matter was barely raised during the election campaign.

According to International Rivers, 11 dams are operating in the upper Mekong River in China, while two hydropower dams -- the Xayaburi Dam and Don Sahong Dam -- are at work on the Mekong mainstream in Laos. Three more dams are under construction -- Luang Prabang Dam, Pak Beng Dam, and Pak Lay Dam.

"The governments of the Mekong region normally view the river merely in terms of economic development and investment opportunity, while overlooking other vital values such as it being an important source of food and income for people, a cradle of diverse Mekong cultures, and the river being one of the major biodiversity hotspots of the world," said Umparak.

Umparak urged the next government to reconsider Thailand's energy strategy by revoking power purchase deals from harmful hydropower dams on the Mekong and stopping new projects.

She also called for a constitutional amendment to protect people's rights to live in a clean and healthy environment, and urged the government to work with other Mekong River Commission (MRC) member states to improve the prior consultation process (PNPCA) to ensure inclusive public participation before construction affects the river.

Cambodia's Environment Minister Say Sam Al says his government has no concern about hydropower projects on the Mekong, as it sees hydropower development as an opportunity to advance economic prosperity and enhance corporation between Mekong countries to establish an Asean Power Grid.

Sithirith Mak, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Environmental Unit at the Cambodia Development Resources Institute, insisted the threats from hydropower dams to the environment are real.

Tonle Sap Lake, which is the largest and most significant wetland biosphere of the Mekong River Basin, has been damaged by the impacts of upstream hydropower dams, said Mak.

However, ecological transformations have been underway at Tonle Sap Lake since 2019. The hydrological pattern of the annual reverse flow from the Mekong River into Tonle Sap Lake has altered drastically, resulting in rapid depletion of fish stocks in the lake.

"According to hydrological data at Tonle Sap Lake, the pattern of annual reverse flows from the river into the lake were relatively consistent every year until 2019, when the surging tide into Tonle Sap Lake came three months late and with a significantly smaller volume of total reverse flow," he said.

He said the annual reverse flow at Tonle Sap Lake still fluctuates unseasonably. This hydrological anomaly coincided with Xayaburi Dam commencing operation the same year.

Mak said the collapsing fisheries in Tonle Sap Lake will add to social and economic problems for already impoverished local communities, as people will lose their incomes and traditional livelihoods.

"The Cambodian government does not have capacity to efficiently mitigate and respond to these emerging environmental and socioeconomic problems," he said.

Mak urged the government to rethink the country's energy development plan by promoting clean renewable energy such as solar energy and moving away from hydropower.

Senators keep mum

Senators have stated they will wait for the outcome of Sunday's election before deciding to cast their votes for the next prime minister. They expressed their readiness to support a candidate from whichever party that wins the most House seats.

A source at the Senate informed that the 250 members of the Upper House, mainly former civil servants, police officers, and military personnel, are currently divided into three groups.

One group of 120 senators supports Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, while another group of 80 backs Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, and the remaining group comprises 50 independent senators whose preferences were not clarified.

Under the 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 final time they will co-elect a prime minister after today's election. In the 2019 election, they joined MPs in voting for Prayut.

The constitution stated that the Senate would serve for a five-year transitional period following the 2019 general election. Their five-year tenure will conclude next year.

Senator Wallop Tangkananurak mentioned that he would abstain from voting for a prime minister in parliament. He said that any party that wins the most seats should have the right to form a government and nominate its PM candidate for a vote in parliament.

Senator Somchai Swangkarn said most senators agreed they will wait for the result of Sunday's election before deciding who they will vote for.

Somchai highlighted that the senators would stand by the proper principles in choosing a prime minister as this will be the Senate's final vote for one. He added that any nominee by a party must have integrity, vision, leadership skills, and knowledge to steer the country forward.

Senator Wanchai Sornsiri agreed that any party that wins a majority of House seats should nominate a PM candidate for a vote in parliament. He said the candidate should not have a tarnished reputation.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha mentioned that he would not vote for a candidate from any party that seeks to revise the lese majeste law. He also noted that he would not support a minority government, as it would add fuel to the fire, plunging the country into political chaos.

Concerns rise over 300k 'unreadable' ballots

Concerns have been raised over the delivery of approximately 300,000 advance voting ballots for a vote count on Sunday, as Thailand Post reported the envelopes containing these ballots are "unreadable" due to poor handwriting.

The issue became public after Phatthraporn Tan-ngam, a journalist at Thai PBS station, posted a video clip of her interview with Pongsatorn Wisetsuwan, the deputy managing director of Thailand Post.

Pongsatorn explained that the handwriting on about 300,000 envelopes containing cast ballots from advance voting is "unreadable" and must be examined by the Election Commission (EC) to determine their destination.

The envelope details, comprising the provinces, districts, constituencies, and five-digit election codes for sorting and delivery, were written by election officials at advance voting stations.

Thailand Post is responsible for sorting and delivering more than two million advance voting ballots to 400 constituencies nationwide, and all should have been sorted yesterday. EC secretary-general, Sawaeng Boonmee, downplayed concerns about the issue, stating he was unsure what "unreadable" truly meant in this situation.

Sawaeng explained that the envelopes might be incomplete, missing essential information such as the province, district, or election code, leaving sorting officials uncertain where they should be sent. He emphasised that all advance voting ballots are being transported to their appropriate locations and suggested that Thailand Post may need to clarify if there are genuinely as many as 300,000 problematic envelopes.

Picharn Chaopattanawong, deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, criticised the EC for not disclosing the issue to the public sooner. He urged the agency to address the problem urgently.

Picharn claimed that these ballots could influence the election result and that if they could not be counted, the EC would have to accept responsibility. In total, 2,235,830 voters registered to cast advance votes, 2,216,951 of whom voted outside their household constituencies, and the remainder within their home constituencies.

Stars favour Srettha

In the realm of astrology, predictions about the future leaders of a country chosen by the people hinge on two crucial factors: logical progression and current planetary transit positions.

During the research, it was interesting to observe that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was born in 1949, while the current prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, was born in 1954. These birth years suggest a logical progression towards their roles as national leaders.

For the upcoming election, will Prayut manage to rise above the challenges posed by other candidates, or will a new leader take charge? It is essential to consider the significant planetary transit that occurred between 2019 and 2020. Planet Shiva, the lord of recreation, regeneration, and transformation, has moved into exaltation for the first time in nearly 200 years.

By using astrology, an elimination process can be applied to those candidates with a lower chance of winning this election or leading the country. It is important to note that the exact time of birth for these individuals is unknown, so the calculations are based on their date of birth as mentioned in Wikipedia.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai Party's top prime ministerial candidate, has slim chances of victory according to astrology. Her age does not align with the tenets of logical progression, and the seventh house in her birth chart, crucial for winning against opponents, is not particularly strong. Consequently, it will be challenging for her to secure an electoral victory.

Jurin Laksanawisit, the Democrat Party's leader and prime ministerial candidate, also faces difficulties in the election. His weak planet, Saturn, occupies a weak position, and there is no positive transit occurring. This makes it challenging for him to assume the role of prime minister.

As for Gen Prayut, the United Thai Nation Party's prime ministerial candidate, his seventh house lord has just moved to the eighth house, suggesting that his already weak fourth house is currently in transit. He might not succeed this time around.

Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai's leader and prime ministerial candidate, has an impressive chart. However, he was born on a "No Moon" day, which hinders his chances of winning.

This leaves Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party's leader and prime ministerial candidate, and Srettha Thavisin, Pheu Thai's second choice for the prime minister. Pita has Planet Shiva moving to his ninth house of luck and a strong Planet Brahma, the lord of creation. However, his weak Saturn is in a state of debilitation, which may make it hard for him to win any significant public event.

Srettha, on the other hand, is considered the favourite contender. His chart is superb, with Jupiter exalted and transiting in his seventh house, indicating victory over competitors in politics. Additionally, Planet Kubera, the lord of wealth, enters his ninth house of luck and will remain there for four years. With the strongest planet, Shiva, the lord of transformation and regeneration, currently transiting his fourth house, Srettha appears to be the most likely candidate to win the election.

Joydiip Mukkarji, a scientific astrologer based in Bangkok, shares these views, emphasising that they are solely his own and do not reflect the thoughts, sentiments, or opinions of this newspaper.

In a world fraught with uncertainties, astrology has gained interest and application in predicting outcomes for various events encompassing sports, wars, and politics. With the upcoming election on the horizon, this thought-provoking analysis of Vedic astrology - a time-honoured tradition with origins dating back thousands of years - has been shared.

It must be emphasised that this astrological perspective seeks to offer insight into the possible outcomes based purely on astrological knowledge, without any political analysis, influencing factors or any intent to guide or sway voters' decisions. Readers are encouraged to exercise their discretion and judgement in this fascinating exploration.

Seri Ruam Thai makes last appeal

Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, the leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, has urged pro-democracy voters to support his party in the upcoming elections on Sunday. Sereepisuth expressed concerns that the popularity of the Pheu Thai and Move Forward parties could overshadow his party, potentially impacting its performance.

Emphasising the importance of diversity, he asked voters to consider the Seri Ruam Thai Party's 14-point policy, asserting that they would remain true to their democratic values without incurring massive debts like the current government. Sereepisuth added that his party has no financiers to pay back and is steadfastly opposed to military intervention in politics.

Meanwhile, Srettha Thavisin, a prime ministerial candidate for Pheu Thai, stated that he would decline the position if his party had to form a coalition with Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, who led the 2014 coup, or his ally, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon. In addition to expressing his disapproval of working with Gen Prayut or Gen Prawit, Thavisin revealed his aspirations to make a significant economic and social impact on Thai society as the potential prime minister.

Pheu Thai's economic team reassured the public that its policies prioritise the interests of all social classes, especially at the grassroots level. Prommin Lertsuridej, the head of the party's policy and economic affairs committee, stated that their primary focus is to strengthen society and give hope to the new generation.

In an unexpected turn of events, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) candidate Aswin Niltao announced his withdrawal from the general election through social media. Citing insufficient support from the PPRP and bleak prospects in the constituency, the discouraged candidate still asserted that the party-list election campaign would continue.

Lastly, the Pheu Thai Party voiced concerns over the change of poll officials in Chon Buri's Constituency 1, as many of the new officials allegedly have connections with a rival party. The party has raised questions about the transparency of the polls and the decision to replace experienced officials.

EC sees high poll turnout

The Election Commission (EC) anticipates an 85% turnout for Sunday's general election and is confident that everything will run smoothly despite some hiccups during advance voting last Sunday.

EC member Thitichet Nuchanart, stated that the poll agency made its prediction after advance voting last weekend saw a high turnout of 91%.

The agency has now investigated the complaints following the May 7 ballot-casting as well as a number of other issues, according to Thitichet.

"These problems have been addressed, and on May 14 they will not occur. The general election is ready to go, and the EC is even more prepared than it was for the 2019 polls," he said.

Thitichet mentioned that the EC had received a total of 127 complaints about alleged irregularities and rejected 33 of them. The remaining 94 complaints are still being investigated, and the commission anticipates no fewer than 2,000 additional complaints will be filed after the weekend's national polling.

He emphasised that the EC would ensure a fair investigation, stating that the accused would have the opportunity to defend themselves while those who made complaints must also present evidence to support their accusations.

"This election is highly competitive, and the EC is committed to ensuring a fair contest. We'll punish those who are in the wrong. You can trust in the EC," he said.

He also urged people to observe regulations to help ensure the day goes smoothly. Snapping a marked ballot and tearing a ballot paper are against the law. The EC also warned people not to wear any sign or T-shirts with a logo of a political party to a polling station as it is against the law.

Candidates cannot canvass for votes on Election Day. Selling alcoholic drinks is not allowed from 6pm today until 6pm tomorrow. A violation carries a maximum of six months in jail and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht.

Meanwhile, EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong presided over the launch of election observation by foreign observers on Friday and briefed them on the election laws and the EC's preparations for the polls.

Concerns rise over 300k 'unreadable' ballots

Concerns are growing over whether approximately 300,000 advance voting ballots can be delivered for a vote count tomorrow, after Thailand Post announced the envelopes containing these ballots are "unreadable" due to poor handwriting.

The issue caught public attention after Phatthraporn Tan-ngam, a journalist at the Thai PBS station, shared a video clip of her interview with Pongsatorn Wisetsuwan, deputy managing director of Thailand Post.

Pongsatorn Wisetsuwan revealed that the handwriting on some 300,000 envelopes containing cast ballots from advance voting is "unreadable" and must be examined by the Election Commission (EC) to determine their destination.

These envelopes include the provinces, districts, and constituencies as well as five-digit election codes crucial for sorting and delivery. These details were written by election officials at the advance voting stations.

Wisetsuwan stated that Thailand Post is responsible for sorting and delivering more than two million advance voting ballots to 400 constituencies nationwide, and all should have been sorted by yesterday. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee downplayed concerns about the issue, saying he is unsure what was meant by "unreadable."

"These envelopes may be incomplete, missing the province, district, or election code. Sorting officials aren't sure where to send them. It doesn't necessarily mean they aren't readable," he said.

Boonmee mentioned that election officials are working around the clock to examine the envelopes, and they are responsible for reviewing the problematic envelopes. He insisted that all advance voting ballots are en route to their destinations and noted that Thailand Post might have to clarify if there are as many as 300,000 problematic envelopes.

Meanwhile, Picharn Chaopattanawong, deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, lambasted the EC on Friday for keeping the public in the dark about the issue.

He urged the poll agency to address the matter urgently.

"The EC always says the problems can be fixed, but it should ask Thailand Post if they can sort these envelopes. The EC must address this issue now," he said.

Chaopattanawong explained that these ballots could determine the election result. If they cannot be counted, the EC must take responsibility. Overall, 2,235,830 voters registered to cast advance votes. Of these, 2,216,951 voted outside their household constituencies, and the rest in their home constituencies.

Calling the election by reading the stars

In a world filled with uncertainties, astrology has gained interest and application in predicting the results of major competitions and events, from sports and wars to politics. As the upcoming election approaches, an engaging analysis of Vedic astrology is presented here -- a time-honoured tradition dating back thousands of years.

It is crucial to underscore that this astrological viewpoint aims to offer insight into possible outcomes based solely on astrological knowledge, without any political analysis or influencing factors, and without the intention of guiding or swaying voters' decisions. Instead, readers are encouraged to use their discretion and judgement on this captivating journey.

In astrology, when making predictions about future leaders of a country chosen by the people, two factors are most important: (i) logical progression, and (ii) the current planetary transit positions.

At the time of this research, it was interesting to note that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was born in 1949, while the current prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, was born in 1954. These years imply a logical progression for their rise to leadership.

For this election, will General Prayut overcome the challenges posed by other candidates or will a new figure take the reins? It is worth considering that a significant planetary transit has been occurring since 2019-2020. Planet Shiva, the lord of recreation, regeneration and transformation, has moved into exaltation for the first time in nearly 200 years.

First, using astrology, those candidates with a lesser chance of winning the election or leading the country will be eliminated. Note that exact times of birth are not available, so calculations are based on birth dates cited in Wikipedia.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai Party's number one prime ministerial candidate, has no chance of winning the election astrologically. Her young age goes against logical progression, and the 7th house in her birth chart, crucial for victory over opponents, is not particularly strong. This makes it challenging for her to be elected.

Jurin Laksanawisit, the Democrat Party's leader and prime ministerial candidate, also has a limited chance of being elected. His weak planet, Saturn, is in a poor position, and no fortuitous transit is happening. This makes securing the prime minister's post extremely difficult.

General Prayut, the United Thai Nation Party's prime minister candidate, has his 7th house lord moved to the 8th house, and his relatively weak 4th house is in transit. He might not make it this time either.

Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai's leader and prime minister candidate, has an impressive chart. However, his birth on a "No Moon" day creates an astrological hurdle that may prevent him from crossing the finish line.

This leaves two candidates with the highest chance of success.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party's leader and prime minister candidate, has Planet Shiva moved to his 9th house of luck while Planet Brahma, the lord of creation, is in a strong position. This gives him a high probability of winning the election.

However, Saturn is weak in his birth chart and currently in a state of debilitation during transit. This could make it challenging for him to win any significant public event.

Srettha Thavisin, Pheu Thai's number two prime minister candidate, is astrologically the favourite contender. He has an outstanding chart with Jupiter exalted and transiting in his 7th house, indicating victory over competition in politics. Additionally, Planet Kubera, the lord of wealth, is moving to his 9th house of luck for the next four years. The most influential planet, Shiva, lord of transformation and regeneration, is currently transiting in his 4th house, representing the country or place where he resides.

These combinations make Srettha Thavisin the favourite to win the election.

Joydiip Mukkarji is a Scientific Astrologer residing in Bangkok. The views expressed are his own. The content does not reflect the thoughts, sentiments or opinions of this newspaper.

Senators coy over PM pick vote

Senators will await the outcome of Sunday's election before deciding to cast their votes for the next prime minister, they stated, while expressing their readiness to support a candidate from whichever party wins the most House seats.

A source at the Senate informed that the 250 members of the Upper House — primarily former civil servants, police officers, and military personnel — are now divided into three groups.

One group of 120 senators supports Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, while another group of 80 backs Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. The remaining are 50 independent senators whose preferences were not clarified.

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

It will be the second and final time they will co-elect a prime minister after today's election. In the 2019 election, they joined MPs in voting for Gen Prayut.

The constitution stipulates that the Senate will serve for a five-year transitional period following the 2019 general election. Their five-year tenure will conclude next year.

Senator Wallop Tangkananurak stated that he would abstain from voting for a prime minister in parliament but said that, in principle, any party that wins the most seats should have the right to form a government and nominate its prime ministerial candidate for a vote in parliament.

"However, most senators agreed that whichever party becomes the government must protect the main institution [the monarchy],'' Wallop said.

Senator Somchai Swangkarn stated most senators agreed they would wait for the results of Sunday's election before making a decision about whom they would vote for.

"We will wait and see which party will nominate who for prime minister. In the previous election, the Pheu Thai Party named its prime minister candidates — Chadchart Sittipunt and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan.

"It later turned out that Pheu Thai decided to support Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the former leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party, in a prime ministerial vote instead of its own candidates."

Somchai said the senators would stand by the proper principles in choosing a prime minister, as this will be the Senate's final vote for one.

He said any nominated by a party must have integrity, vision, leadership skills, and knowledge to steer the country forward.

Somchai said he believed it would take about two months for parties to negotiate a coalition before a new government can take shape.

Senator Wanchai Sornsiri agreed that any party that wins a majority of House seats should nominate a prime ministerial candidate for a vote in parliament.

He said the candidate should not have a tarnished reputation.

"In principle, senators should vote for a prime ministerial candidate nominated by the party with the most House seats if the candidate meets the qualifications.

"I don't think parties will nominate anyone with a bad record,'' Wanchai said.

"It will be much easier if parties can gather the support of a combined 376 MPs [more than half of the combined 750 members of the Lower and Upper Houses]."

Parties may also only need the support of 300-310 MPs, with the backing of 70-80 senators, to form a coalition and nominate a candidate for a vote in parliament, he added.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha said he would not vote for a candidate from any party that seeks to revise the lese majeste law.

He added that he would not support a minority government, saying this would add fuel to the fire, plunging the country into political chaos.

Colour clash

Contrasting colours, ideologies, and songs were showcased throughout Bangkok on Friday as thousands of supporters attended the final rallies before an election that is evolving into a generational face-off.

The upcoming Sunday vote will be a contest between establishment and army-backed parties, such as caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's United Thai Nation (UTN) and a resurgent opposition movement led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of divisive former premier Thaksin.

Approximately 10,000 Pheu Thai supporters filled Impact Arena, which usually hosts energetic K-pop and rock concerts, as Paetongtarn returned to the campaign less than two weeks after giving birth to her second child.

The stadium turned into a sea of red, the colour synonymous with the political movement loyal to Thaksin, who was removed from power in a coup in 2006 and left the country two years later to avoid a prison sentence he claimed was politically motivated.

Pheu Thai supporters were motivated by an English-language rap song, 'Landslide' – a nod to the party's demand for a decisive victory to prevent the army and military-friendly Senate from retaining their control over them.

Pheu Thai has been leading opinion polls, but its lead has reduced, as Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the more progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), has surpassed Paetongtarn as the people's first choice for prime minister.

Move Forward followers crowded into Thai-Japanese Stadium to hear 42-year-old Pita speak, with many sporting the party's orange attire and tangerine-coloured ribbons in their hair.

Move Forward, however, faces a challenge as rumours abound that it could confront the same ending as its predecessor, the Future Forward Party, which won over 6 million votes and 81 seats in 2019 but was dissolved by a court order.

The atmosphere inside the packed stadium was more reminiscent of a pop concert than a political rally, with organisers even opening up a neighbouring football pitch to accommodate the growing number of attendees.

Meanwhile, at the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PRPP) rally next door, older attendees lined up in a more subdued manner, with members distributing placards and inflatable items.

The UTN and PRPP, both directed by former army chiefs, have targeted older, more conservative voters, using nationalist and royalist rhetoric to warn of chaos if the opposition gains power.

Attapong Chantaropas, a 59-year-old self-employed labourer in Bangkok, said he was voting for the current ruling party to ensure stability.

"No chaos, no disruption, no conflict. Stop demonstrations or protests," he told reporters.

Instead of tattoos and rap music, the audience at the UTN rally was treated to a rendition of the royal anthem.

The scene was a blend of red, white, and blue, the colours of both the flag and the UTN party, as the gathering, consisting mostly of retirees, awaited Prayut's appearance.

"Prayut gets things done but doesn't boast about it. He has a successful track record," said 69-year-old Kanokwan Choosai.

The retired food vendor, dressed in a ballerina outfit with a red sash and feathers around her waist, added, "He cares about the elderly."

Piyabutr defends Pita

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a prominent figure in the Progressive Movement assisting the Move Forward Party's (MFP) election campaign, urged supporters on Thursday to combat all attempts to discredit Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old leader and sole prime ministerial candidate of the MFP. Saengkanokkul's statement comes amidst accusations against Pita for holding ineligible shares in a media company.

In a recent Facebook post, Saengkanokkul encouraged supporters to rally over 10 million votes for the MFP, aiming for the highest number of parliamentary seats to lead the formation of a new government. He considered the petitions filed against Pita a "legal war" against the MFP and emphasised that the party and its backers would not be deterred.

Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), insisted that Pita had already declared his iTV Plc shares, although he could not recall when it happened. Kasemmongkol was addressing questions about Pita's alleged failure to declare 42,000 iTV shares to the NACC following the 2019 election.

Sawaeng Boonmee, the Election Commission secretary-general, stated that with only two days remaining until the election, the commission may not have enough time to finish its investigation. However, it is more important to allow the inquiry adequate time to ensure fairness for all sides, he noted.

Meanwhile, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party list-MP candidate, submitted further documents to the Election Commission supporting allegations against Pita while raising questions about the legitimacy of MFP MP candidates in all 400 constituencies. Leekitwattana questioned whether the registrations could be invalidated if Pita faced disqualification over the iTV shareholding issue.

Prayut 'to go home' if his UTN party fails to win

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that he will quit politics if the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, for which he is a prime ministerial candidate and chief strategist, fails to obtain enough House seats to form a government after Sunday's election.

General Prayut expressed this commitment while campaigning on behalf of Nonthiwat Nonthaphak, the party's election candidate running in the southern province's third constituency during a rally in Pak Phanang district.

"The party's candidates in all constituencies are important to me," General Prayut said.

"If we only win a small number of constituency seats, I will return home and take a rest," he continued.

"We need to win as many House seats as possible so we can form a strong and solid government that can work faster," the Prime Minister said, noting that with more MPs in Parliament, the party will have a better chance of nominating and selecting a prime minister after the elections on Sunday.

"Previously, I had to work with various parties and groups. Some were easy to deal with, while others were not," he shared.

General Prayut further stated, "I've spent numerous years as a soldier and faced several crises. Today, I am a politician. It is different. When I spoke to soldiers, I had to be firm.

"But when I speak to people, it is different, and I think I prefer this way," he added.

"You trusted me once in the previous election. Please trust me again in Sunday's election," the Prime Minister said.

The UTN will hold its final major election campaign rally today, based on the main theme, "Don't let Uncle Tu fight alone. Step forward to protect the country. Unite all hearts and minds. United Thai Nation," at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok.

Uncle Tu is General Prayut's nickname.

Many of the party's key figures will appear on stage to deliver campaign speeches to supporters and voters.

These include UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, party secretary-general Akanat Promphan, while General Prayut is set to conclude the event with his speech.

Tomorrow, General Prayut will also lead key party figures in campaigning around the city by riding on the back of a pickup truck around key districts in what will be the last day of political party campaigning.

By law, parties must stop their campaigns before 6pm on the day before the election.

On Election Day, General Prayut will cast his vote at a polling station beneath a tollway flyover near Soi Pradiphat 5 on Pradiphat Road in Bangkok's Phaya Thai district.

Chartthaipattana to forge alliances with pro-monarchy parties

Varawut Silpa-archa, leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, stated on Thursday that the party anticipates winning at least 25 seats in parliament in Sunday's election. Additionally, it aims to form a government with parties that support the monarchy.

Varawut mentioned that he had dispatched all candidates from his party to engage in on-site campaign rallies. He shared concerns about the dual-ballot system possibly confusing voters, and suggested that the Election Commission should address any issues that arise to maintain public trust.

Discussing the formation of the next government, Varawut explained that it is challenging to predict which party will join a coalition government prior to the announcement of election results. He found it unproductive to speculate whether his party would join the military-backed side or the pro-democracy side as nothing would be certain until after Sunday.

"Within the first 100 days, the Chartthaipattana Party will push for the drafting of a new constitution that encourages the country's development and supports the monarchy. Without that, there is no point in joining a coalition," he said.

Varawut will meet local voters in Muang district of Suphan Buri, the party's political stronghold, today to gather votes for its constituency and party-list candidates.

Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), stated on Thursday that the BJT had demonstrated its actions speak louder than words and assured voters that the party is capable of leading the next government. Anutin, the party's only prime ministerial candidate, explained that the party had shown its competency over the past four years with its management of the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism revitalisation efforts, and promotion of numerous transport projects.

He continued, "Many people told me my party successfully turned words into action. That was very moving. That is the image of the BJT in people's eyes." Anutin highlighted that the party prioritises accomplishments rather than conflicts in the parliament, which has led to an increased number of MPs joining its ranks.

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) provided reasons on Thursday as to why its leader, Prawit Wongsuwon, should be considered a suitable candidate for the position of Thailand's 30th prime minister. Charnkrit Detwithak, a spokesman for the party's election strategy committee, listed five reasons why Prawit is the optimal choice for the role.

According to Charnkrit, Prawit works well with everyone, particularly the younger generation of politicians, and has considerable power and authority to make experts accept his invitations if they are asked to discuss people's health, thereby advancing the country's development more seamlessly. Lastly, Charnkrit asserted that Prawit would be a prime minister who could help unite the country and stabilise the next cabinet during his four years in power.

Piyabutr defends Pita over media firm shares

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a prominent member of the Progressive Movement assisting the Move Forward Party's (MFP) election campaign, called on supporters to fight attempts to discredit Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old MFP leader and sole prime ministerial candidate. Piyabutr's appeal refers to petitions submitted to the Election Commission (EC) accusing Pita of being ineligible to contest the election due to his media company shares.

In a recent Facebook post, Piyabutr encouraged supporters to join forces to secure over 10 million votes for the MFP, with the goal of winning the highest number of parliamentary seats and forming a new government. He described the petitions against Pita as a "legal war" seeking to destroy the MFP but affirmed that neither the party nor its supporters would waver.

Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), stated that Pita had declared his iTV Plc shares, though he could not recall when the declaration was made. This came in response to questions about whether Pita had failed to declare 42,000 iTV shares to the NACC when sworn in as an MP after the 2019 election. Niwatchai suggested Pita may have initially been unsure if the inherited shares were his, thus declaring them later.

As for Pita's eligibility to run in the upcoming election due to these shares, Niwatchai said the EC would have to determine the verdict. Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee pointed out that there might not be enough time before Election Day to complete the investigation. He added that ensuring fairness for all parties was more important than conducting a hasty probe, indicating that the investigation could be completed after the election.

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a candidate from the rival Palang Pracharath Party, recently submitted additional documents to the EC, supporting allegations regarding Pita's iTV share issue. Ruangkrai also questioned whether the registration of MFP MP candidates in all 400 constituencies might be declared invalid if Pita, who approved their registrations, is disqualified due to the iTV shareholding issue.

Prayut 'to go home' if UTN fails to win

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that he would leave politics if the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party does not secure enough House seats to form a government in the forthcoming election on Sunday.

Prayut, 68 years old, made this declaration whilst gathering support for Nonthiwat Nonthaphak, the UTN candidate campaigning in the southern province's third constituency, at a campaign rally in Pak Phanang district.

"The party's candidates in all constituencies are significant to me," he said.

"If we only win a small number of constituency seats, I will simply return home and take a rest," Prayut stated.

"We must win as many House seats as possible to establish a powerful and solid government capable of working quickly," he said, pointing out that with numerous MPs in the parliament, the party will have a greater chance of nominating and selecting a prime minister following Sunday's election.

He went on to discuss his experience, saying that he's spent many years as a soldier and overcome several crises. "Today, I am a politician. It is different. When I spoke to soldiers, I had to be firm. But when I speak to people, it is different, and I think I prefer this way," Prayut said.

"You trusted me once [in the previous election]. Please trust me again [in Sunday's election," the prime minister added.

The UTN will host its final major election campaign rally today at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok. The event is centred around the theme: "Don't let Uncle Tu fight alone. Step forward to protect the country. Unite all hearts and minds. United Thai Nation."

A number of the party's essential figures will appear on stage to deliver campaign speeches to supporters and voters, including UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavi­bhaga, party secretary-general Akanat Promphan. Prayut is scheduled to conclude the event with his speech.

Tomorrow, which is the final day of political party campaigning, Prayut will also lead key party figures in campaigning around the city, riding on the back of a pickup truck around central districts. By law, parties must cease their campaigns before 6pm on Saturday.

On Election Day, Prayut will cast his vote at a polling station beneath a tollway flyover near Soi Pradiphat 5 on Pradiphat Road in Bangkok's Phaya Thai district, as confirmed by several sources.

Senators urged to heed views of voters

A group of academics has initiated a public campaign, urging senators to support the political party that wins the majority of House seats in Sunday's poll to lead in forming a new government.

The public is invited to participate in the campaign from midday Monday until midday Wednesday by scanning the campaign's QR code and voting whether they agree with the campaign, said Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University.

The results of the campaign vote will be made public at 1.30pm on Wednesday, he said.

The campaign is intended to be a virtual public forum to convey a strong message that no organisation that does not come from the public should distort the public consensus to help some parties gain power to govern the country, said Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket of the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).

Phichai expressed concern about potential interference with the Election Commission, which was selected by the Senate installed by the 2014 coup makers.

"I expect to see the Election Commission change the way it thinks and works so as to prove itself against the criticism that it is under the influence of those who appointed it," said Phichai.

Thanaporn Sriyakul of Kasetsart University expressed optimism that the Senate will be fair and just during the selection of a new prime minister.

The campaign's primary aim is to communicate the public's views to the Senate, said Olarn Thinbangtieo of Burapha University, adding that the public expects all senators to respect such views.

He urged the Senate to promptly clarify its stance on whether it intends to respect and support the decision made by the majority of voters.

The Election Commission and the Senate should realise that they should have an important role in ending political conflicts, not creating them, said Wanwichit Boonprong of Rangsit University.

"You [senators] are the people who will bring about peace in Thai politics, not war," he said.

Prinya also urged the new House speaker to consider changing the order of MPs and senators voting in selecting the new prime minister so that MPs vote first.

This way, the senators will have a clearer picture of what the majority of MPs want in the prime minister selection, he said, adding that the senators should then respect the MPs' will.

Petitioner Srisuwan assaulted again

Serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya, 55, was punched in the mouth on Thursday after giving a statement to the Election Commission to support his complaint against the Pheu Thai Party's 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme.

The sudden attack occurred at 11.15am when a man wearing a suit approached Srisuwan, who was speaking to reporters at the EC office, and suddenly punched him in the mouth. The attacker shouted, "You're filing too many complaints. Nonsense! Why did you file complaints against the Pheu Thai and Move Forward parties? Why are you filing a complaint against Pita (Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat)? The general election is approaching." Before leaving, he said, "I've tolerated your conduct for so long."

The attacker was later identified as Thotsaphon Thananonsophonkul, a 67-year-old retired university lecturer. The incident caught Srisuwan off guard, who removed his face mask to show a bleeding lower lip to reporters. Srisuwan later filed an assault complaint against Thotsaphon with Thung Song Hong police.

Srisuwan has faced physical attacks before by those accusing him of showing bias against critics of the government, which he has denied. His supporters highlight that in 2019, he questioned whether Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was eligible to stand as a prime ministerial candidate, as the Constitution prohibits "state officials" from doing so. The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint.

During the Prayut-led National Council for Peace and Order's rule after the 2014 coup, Srisuwan filed several complaints against its members and associates, in return for which he was regularly summoned by the junta for "attitude adjustment."

In October last year, Srisuwan was assaulted but not seriously hurt when he arrived to register a complaint against comedian Udom "Nose" Taepanich with police at the Central Investigation Bureau. A group led by red-shirt leader Weerawit Rungruangsiripol awaited him, as Srisuwan did not find Nose's jokes about Gen Prayut amusing. Weerawit punched, grabbed, and kicked at the activist before police and onlookers intervened.

On Thursday, Srisuwan visited the EC head office to provide details supporting his complaint about Pheu Thai's policy for a 10,000-baht digital handout⁠—distributed to everyone aged 16 and older. He claimed that such a pledge could violate Section 73 of the election law, which prohibits candidates or other figures from promising assets, money, or benefits to voters, as well as providing misleading information about policies.

Pheu Thai, widely anticipated to win the most seats in Sunday's election, pledged that every Thai aged over 16 would receive a new bank savings account and a digital wallet connected to their ID. Srettha Thavisin, a business executive and Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, stated that the scheme would cost 560 billion baht, all of which is financially accounted for. He believes it would help unleash an "economic tsunami" that would generate 160 billion baht in additional tax revenue.

Unofficial poll results ‘out by 11pm’

The Election Commission anticipates that unofficial results of the election will be available by 11pm on Sunday, as ballot counts from polling stations across the country are compiled, verified, and published on its ECT Report website starting from 7pm.

Suranee Pontawee, deputy secretary-general of the commission, stated that the ECT Report website can accommodate up to one million users per minute.

The Election Commission will announce the election results in three primary categories: nationwide ballot count figures, election outcomes by province, and results by political party, according to Suranee.

Voting is scheduled from 8am to 5pm on Sunday, with the first update anticipated around 7pm after polling station committees complete recording ballot count results and submit the data to the Election Commission via ECT Report.

The Government Big Data Institute is in charge of publishing the results online.

To minimize the risk of human error, each ballot counting team will comprise two staff members, and each team will be responsible for results from no more than 20 polling stations, stated Suranee.

Before posting the results online, the Election Commission will first verify the results at each polling station by comparing them to turnout figures and all types of votes counted at that specific station.

Sawaeng Boonmee, the Election Commission secretary-general, clarified that everyone is allowed to photograph or film a vote count as long as they do not disturb the process. However, photographing a marked ballot is against election law.

Observers are permitted to immediately correct ballot-counting staff if they notice an error, Boonmee added.

Observers can also file a written complaint at the polling station regarding any potential mistakes in ballot counting. Staff members at the station must document the objection, along with the station committee's response.

The Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) group has recruited thousands of volunteers to serve as election observers at polling stations throughout the country and has published comprehensive instructions for voters on its Election 66 page.

In the meantime, the Royal Thai Police have insisted that all officers deployed at polling stations have received training on election laws and must maintain political neutrality to ensure law and order on polling day.

See you in court

The Bhumjaithai Party has filed a lawsuit against former politician and whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit, accusing him of damaging the party's candidates nationwide and demanding US$100 million in damages. The party also sought to prevent the former massage parlour tycoon from attending its final election campaign rally on Friday in Bangkok and related events until Election Day on Sunday.

However, on Thursday, the Civil Court dismissed a request for a temporary injunction, noting that Section 25 of the Constitution states that people have the right to undertake any activity as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. The charter also supports freedom of expression, travel, and peaceful gatherings.

The court made the point that if someone attending an event caused chaos that affected the freedom or safety of others, they would face criminal action, providing no reason to issue an injunction. The court has accepted the broader lawsuit for consideration and will begin witness examination on July 3.

Lawyers Natchanikarn Ketkhamkhwa and Pichai Iem-on claim in the suit, authorised by Bhumjaithai executive Supachai Jaisamut, that Chuvit Kamolvisit has undermined the party's popularity in the run-up to the election. Kamolvisit has declared war against the Bhumjaithai Party's cannabis policy and urged voters to join his crusade against allowing recreational use of the plant.

The Bhumjaithai Party has maintained that it supports the medicinal use of cannabis and opposes recreational use. However, the latter has been an unintended consequence of its push to remove the plant from the national list of controlled drugs before a law could be passed to clarify what is and isn't allowed.

Pichai Iem-on stated that the party was suing Chuvit Kamolvisit because he had infringed on the party's rights and intimidated its members and supporters near the Din Daeng police station in Bangkok on May 2. The amount of damages sought is based on the campaign budgets of party candidates in 400 constituencies nationwide, at 1.9 million baht per constituency, said the lawyer.

Pichai noted earlier that Kamolvisit was free to hold press conferences or give media interviews, as he had the right to do within the framework of the law. However, the party wanted him to avoid staging any moves against it near its rally venues to prevent confrontation, he said.

In April, a court granted a Bhumjaithai request for a temporary injunction that barred Kamolvisit from criticising its cannabis policy, a decision that concerned free-speech advocates. It was quickly overturned, with the Civil Court stating that the public had a right to hear about the benefits and potential risks of cannabis.

Kamolvisit has also been an outspoken critic of the Chidchob family, the main power behind the Bhumjaithai Party. He has targeted suspended Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob as well, accusing him of irregularities. Kamolvisit has insisted that he is acting alone and not pursuing anyone else's political agenda.

Ban them all?

A Palang Pracharath candidate has questioned whether all Move Forward Party candidates should be prohibited from holding office if their leader is found to have violated a rule against holding shares in a media business.

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana recently cited the opposition party's own regulations in seeking a broader interpretation from the Election Commission in the case of Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

Previously, the PPRP party-list candidate submitted documents to the Election Commission to support the claim that Pita's trusteeship of shares held by his late father in a long-defunct TV broadcaster could be grounds to bar him from being a Member of Parliament.

Ruangkrai pointed out that Move Forward Party regulations state that its members must not have engaged in any activity banned under Section 98 of the constitution. Holding shares in a mass media organisation is one such criterion for disqualification.

He initially asked the Election Commission to disqualify Pita from politics for alleged concealment of his shareholding in iTV Plc, citing Section 98 as the reason.

Ruangkrai later asked the Election Commission to determine if a breach of Section 98 would also result in the termination of Pita's membership and leadership, in line with the regulations of his party.

In such a case, he suggested, the certification of all party-list and constituency candidates could be in doubt.

Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said the commission would take time to consider the case to ensure justice, adding that it should not have any impact on the announcement of vote results.

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a Move Forward campaign assistant and co-founder of the party's predecessor, Future Forward, wrote on Facebook that the party was not discouraged by any legal attacks.

On the contrary, he said, such attempts to slow its momentum could trigger a show of power by Move Forward Party supporters nationwide.

Pita explained earlier that he had informed the National Anti-Corruption Commission of the shareholding situation when he declared his assets in 2019. The shares in iTV were held by his father, who died in 2006. In his role as manager of his father's estate, Pita said he had tried to sell the shares but could not find a buyer.

iTV ceased broadcasting in 2007, and its licence was taken over by Thai PBS. The company was delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2014. However, iTV's business registration remains active because litigation over concession fees owed to the government is not yet concluded, a Thai PBS executive said.

Ownership of shares in a media company led to the ouster of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the co-founder of Future Forward, after the 2019 election. In Thanathorn's case, he had held shares in a defunct travel magazine.

The intention of the Election Commission regulation was to ensure that elected politicians could not influence media coverage or financial dealings between media firms and the government. However, in Thanathorn's case, the Election Commission chose to adhere to the letter of the law rather than the spirit.

Calls were made for a review of media shareholdings by dozens of other MPs elected in 2019. The Constitutional Court ruled in October 2020 that one Move Forward MP was guilty, but it cleared 57 other MPs from both government and opposition parties.

Shaking up conscription

Academics and human rights defenders have expressed mixed responses to calls to scrap compulsory military service in Thailand, which is gaining national attention in the lead-up to the May 14 elections. The Move Forward Party and the Pheu Thai Party have pledged to end it in favour of voluntary enlistment if they form a part of the next government. They believe that the Defence Ministry should reduce the number of young men they need under this system. For context, Thai men aged 21 years old and up can be drafted into military service for up to two years.

Negative perceptions of military conscription have grown amid reports of violence in military camps, poor food quality, and improper use of conscript labour. Panitan Wattanayagorn, an independent academic and security expert, shared that the army has conducted a study on the voluntary military system, which has been implemented in some areas. However, the cost of training one soldier under this system is more expensive than the conscription model.

Conscription also has advantages, as those conscripted can be trained and learn self-discipline and serve the country. For these reasons, the army has not considered entirely switching from conscription to a voluntary system. Panitan believes that a hybrid system might be the solution.

As for proposals to downsize the military, this was previously attempted during the Chuan Leekpai government in the 1990s but was later cancelled by former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. Panitan suggested that to address hazing, abuse of conscripts, and violence in military camps, the army should hire outsource companies with security clearance to perform domestic services for officers instead of conscripts. The army may also consider hiring housekeepers for military residences to prevent conscripts being pressed into service.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a political scientist at Rangsit University, said that the army should prepare itself for challenges ahead. He explained that the army has initiated a voluntary military system over the past two years and feedback has improved each year due to enhancements in pay and welfare. However, he believes that it is difficult to completely scrap the conscription system.

Wanwichit added that the army should provide special training for conscripts to tackle various security problems such as disaster relief, wildfire suppression, and evacuation operations. Investing in equipment to help mitigate disasters will also help boost the army's credibility, he said.

Cross Cultural Foundation director and human rights activist Pornpen Khongkachonkiet disclosed that compulsory enlistment is now viewed as outdated. She believes that the system should be scrapped, as the country is not currently engaged in any wars and has no need to recruit men for this purpose. Forcing people to serve the country is expensive, and in her view, amending the Enlistment Act could turn the conscription system into a voluntary programme that recruits individuals with the proper qualifications and genuine interest in joining the army.

Regarding conscripts' labour exploitation, Pornpen agreed that the army should hire people from outside the barracks to perform domestic labour for officers. As for violence against conscripts, she insisted that it is hard to proceed with civil and criminal cases against offenders as they tend to seek reconciliation and provide compensation to the victim's families.

Supensri Phengkoksoong, director of Social Equality Promotion Foundation, urged the military to treat transsexual women fairly when they arrive at the screening unit for conscription. She highlighted how the demand for army reform is not just about finances but also concerns transparency and credibility. Overall, the discussion around military conscription in Thailand continues to be a pertinent issue as the May 14 elections approach.

Weighing in on the election

As election campaigning progresses, academics predict the number of lower House seats each party is expected to win on Sunday, as well as the most likely post-election coalitions, and who will become the new prime minister.

Attention is focused on major parties, including Pheu Thai, the Move Forward Party (MFP), United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, Democrat Party, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and Bhumjaithai Party, while small parties are also being factored in.

Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University, said Pheu Thai may not reach its goal of securing at least 250 House seats partly because it did not fare well in the last leg of the campaign. He predicted Pheu Thai would instead capture 200 House seats -- 160 seats in the constituency contest, mostly in the Northeast and the North, as well as another 35-40 in the party-list system.

As for the MFP, Olarn said it would ride its rising popularity and secure up to 100 House seats -- 40 party-list seats and 60 constituency seats in Bangkok and some major provinces with large groups of middle-class people and businesses. The MFP is popular among young voters, Olarn said, adding that some voters may support constituency candidates from other parties, but when it comes to selecting a party, they may favor the MFP instead.

For the UTN, Olarn said the party relies on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's popularity and is expected to win five party-list seats and about 20 seats in the constituency contest, mostly in the upper South, where his popularity is high. Some candidates who defected from the Democrat Party, as well as those who hold support bases in the Central Region and the East, such as Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Chon Buri, are also crucial to the party's success, Olarn said.

As for the Democrat Party, he said the country's oldest political party is expected to win no more than 30 House seats -- five party-list seats and the rest from the constituency contest -- mostly in the upper South and some eastern provinces such as Rayong. He also predicted the PPRP would capture about five party-list seats and 20 constituency seats in provinces which are the support bases of the party's key figures, such as Phrae, the stronghold of Capt Thamanat Prompow.

Bhumjaithai would win no more than 70 seats -- 10 in the party-list system and the rest in the constituency contest, Olarn said. The party has its support bases in the lower Northeast, as well as the Central Region, some eastern provinces such as Prachin Buri, and southern provinces on the Andaman coast, he said.

He forecast that about 50 House seats would be distributed among small and medium-sized parties such as the Chartthaipattana Party, which is expected to win 3-4 seats, while the Chartpattanakla Party is also tipped to capture 3-4 seats.

Commenting on the post-election formation of a government, Olarn said there are two possible coalitions. The first would see a coalition comprising parties in the current opposition bloc, including Pheu Thai, the MFP, and Seri Ruam Thai. Other parties such as Chartthaipattana, Chartpattanakla, Puea Chat, Prachachat, and Thai Sang Thai may also be included.

A minority government led by either Prayut or Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon could also be formed to break the deadlock if a coalition led by Pheu Thai wins a majority of House seats but cannot proceed to establish a government due to lack of support from the Senate, Olarn said.

Several scenarios have been suggested regarding possible coalitions and selections of prime ministers. For Pheu Thai, the new prime minister could be either Paetongtarn Shinawatra or Srettha Thavisin, both prime ministerial candidates.

In conclusion, academics predict that the Pheu Thai party will secure the most seats, with the new prime minister most likely to come from their ranks. Critics caution against relying too heavily on opinion survey results, as they have proved unreliable in the past. Nevertheless, the party with the most seats is expected to lead the formation of the next government.

Prayut calls on Chumphon voters to help him in quest for PM

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged voters in Chumphon to cast their ballots for all three United Thai Nation (UTN) candidates and the party to ensure UTN obtains the 25 MPs required for him to be eligible for the premiership election. Prayut, the UTN's top choice for prime minister, visited Chumphon as it is one of their strongest areas.

Addressing voters in Tha Sae district, Prayut promised improved living conditions if his party forms the next government, including an upgrade to the major road connecting Chumphon and the neighbouring province of Ranong. He referred to the land bridge development plan, which forms part of the Southern Economic Corridor initiative involving Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The Democrat Party will hold a significant election campaign event in Lan Khon Muang in front of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The gathering, scheduled for tomorrow at 5pm, will be led by Jurin Laksanawisit and former leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Deputy Democrat Party leader Ongart Klampaiboon revealed that the event will focus on encouraging support for Democrat candidates and outline policies addressing societal demands.

Parit Wacharasindhu, policy campaign manager for the Move Forward Party (MFP), launched an election caravan in Surat Thani highlighting the party's intention to abolish National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) activities and promote fairness in politics. Parit stated that if MFP forms the government, they will revoke the political succession and special powers given to the NCPO-formed Senate and create a new Election Commission.

Chartpattanakla Party's prime ministerial candidate, Suwat Liptapanlop, announced that the party will respect the election outcome and support the party with the most House seats in forming a new government. He expressed confidence in his party candidates' abilities to represent the people in parliament and emphasised his party's willingness to support the winner, mentioning that parties like Pheu Thai and Move Forward continue to grow in popularity.

Pheu Thai sure of Chiang Mai poll win

The Pheu Thai Party remains confident in winning all constituencies in its political stronghold of Chiang Mai during Sunday's election. This comes despite the increased popularity of the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the northern province. Srettha Thavisin, a party prime ministerial candidate, acknowledged the highly competitive race while emphasising Pheu Thai's belief in securing all seats in the Chiang Mai province as targeted. Thavisin noted that the MFP's popularity was not only growing in Chiang Mai but also in other parts of the country.

Srettha Thavisin commented on the recent tweet by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who reiterated his wish to return to Thailand. Thavisin insisted that Thaksin's tweet has nothing to do with the Pheu Thai Party.

Thavisin also clarified his earlier statements concerning Pheu Thai's intentions to control the Ministry of Transport. He said that what he meant was that if the Pheu Thai Party wins the election and becomes the government, it will take care of problems faced by taxi drivers' cooperatives governed by the ministry.

EC moves to ensure poll transparency

The Election Commission (EC) has established a Cyber Threat Surveillance and Response Operations Centre to ensure transparency in the election, according to EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee.

The commission collaborated with the National Cyber Security Agency, Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission, Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the Bureau of Registration Administration, and National Telecom Public Co Ltd in creating the centre.

Sawaeng, aged 55, admitted the commission's responsibility for errors in the advanced voting held last Sunday and promised to prevent such mistakes occurring on Election Day. "We will keep all ballots safe and there will be no ballot rigging," said Sawaeng.

In response to a question from a Pheu Thai candidate regarding election observers, Sawaeng stated that the EC encouraged all sectors to work with the commission in observing the election.

However, if parties decide to send their own observers, they must inform the EC within 15 days of the poll under Section 55 of the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives. These parties must also bear the cost of their own expenses.

Observer seats will be reserved at polling stations. If parties do not inform the EC in advance, they can still have their own observers, but these individuals will be situated outside the polling stations.

Previously, the EC had provided financial assistance for such expenses under the regulations set out by the Organic Act on Political Parties 1998, but that law was revoked under the 2007 constitution.

The EC has instructed directors in every province to record events at polling stations from the start of voting at 8am until the results are announced. The EC anticipates unofficial results to be available around 11pm.

EC deputy secretary-general Suranee Pontawee, aged 49, said that people can access www.ectreport.com and initial results are expected around 7pm, or two hours after polling stations close.

'Thaksin must go to prison'

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has asserted that the fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve his prison sentence if he returns to Thailand.

Wissanu, the government's legal expert, was responding to Thaksin's latest tweet stating his intention to return home before July 26, his 74th birthday, to care for his grandchildren.

"I am determined to return home by July before my birthday to care for my grandchildren. It has been nearly 17 years since I was parted from my family. I am already old. Don't worry that I will be a burden for the Pheu Thai Party. I will enter the legal process ... It's all my own decision," Thaksin said in his tweet.

According to Wissanu, there are three types of cases involving Thaksin. The first type includes cases in which courts had already handed down rulings, and Thaksin had not returned to face punishment. The second type denotes cases with court rulings still pending. The third type refers to cases in which courts had already passed judgment and found Thaksin not guilty.

Wissanu said authorities had to separate the cases and follow the appropriate legal procedures for each.

Talking about a potential royal pardon, Wissanu mentioned two forms: one sought by individual convicts but did not guarantee a granted pardon, and another obtained through a royal decree where prisoners must serve at least eight years or one-third of their jail term.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha did not comment on Thaksin's latest tweet, saying it was up to him and the judicial procedures.

Political analysts suggest that Thaksin's message might be an attempt to win back supporters who may have had a change of heart and vote for other parties in the upcoming election. The move comes as the Move Forward Party's (MFP) popularity is growing fast and threatening Pheu Thai. Thaksin's message could also prompt his opponents to jointly support the United Thai Nation Party, with Gen Prayut as its prime minister candidate and chief strategist.

Poll body expects voter turnout above 80%

The Election Commission (EC) anticipates that voter turnout will exceed 80% for the upcoming general election this Sunday, as it intensifies its campaign to raise awareness about the poll.

The EC, led by its Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, initiated the Big Day campaign outside City Hall in Bangkok on Tuesday, with the aim of encouraging the electorate to participate in the voting process.

City Hall revealed that voter turnout for the advance voting in Bangkok held last Sunday reached 91.81%, which surpasses the 87% recorded during the same stage of the election in March 2019.

Ittiporn expressed his hope that the campaign would inspire more individuals to vote and urged them to familiarise themselves with the election rules to avoid invalid ballots.

The EC is currently taking steps to ensure that these do not make up more than 2% of all ballots cast this Sunday. It also stated that the issues encountered during the advance voting last weekend would not result in the election being declared invalid.

Ittiporn mentioned that the EC is prepared to face an investigation concerning the errors, as the commission had conducted the advance voting in good faith.

The poll agency received criticism for its management of the advance voting on May 7.

One error involved officials at a voting station writing postal codes instead of electoral constituency codes on around 100 envelopes containing cast ballots.

The commission reassured the public that none of the ballots would be lost due to this mistake. Ittiporn confirmed that the envelopes with incorrect codes would be cross-referenced against the logbook of registered voters.

He also noted that the commission would endeavour to avoid a recurrence of such mistakes this weekend.

Ittiporn added that the EC did not perceive any excessive pressure on its operations, but rather appreciated that people were monitoring its work to help boost its efficiency.

He said, "Without the monitoring from the people and the media, the EC might not be able to deliver such a complete job."

Ittiporn also mentioned that the EC was examining the poll fraud complaints it has received thus far.

In total, 101 complaints have been submitted to the EC, with 38 related to vote buying and 34 concerning alleged mudslinging campaigns.

Provincial election offices have up to 20 days to complete their investigations into these complaints, although this period can be extended by an additional 15 days if necessary.

The EC chairman emphasised that none of the investigations should be hurried.

EC has to be accountable

Numerous errors during last week's advance vote have called into question the Election Commission's (EC) ability to effectively organise the highly anticipated election on Sunday and ensure its fairness. Among the mistakes were postal codes being incorrectly labelled as electoral constituency codes on ballot envelopes, as well as incorrect or missing information at certain polling stations. These issues indicate either carelessness or a lack of proper training for EC officers.

Despite admitting to the errors, which were labelled as "minor," the EC has not fully convinced the public that similar mistakes will not occur during the actual elections. Unanswered questions remain, such as the high number of elderly voters in some Northeast constituencies participating in advance voting, which has raised concerns over potential poll fraud.

Additionally, observers have criticised the EC's storage and transportation of advance vote ballots, suggesting a lack of proper security measures that could make tampering possible. Some errors may even have legal consequences that could affect the validity of Sunday's election.

Public concern has grown, leading to a campaign aiming to impeach the EC, which gained significant support on social media platforms. The poll agency has faced distrust since its establishment in 2018, with some alleging it favours the ex-junta apparatus instead of remaining impartial.

The EC has not responded adequately to complaints about constituency ballots containing only numbers and no other identifying details, nor to calls for independent observers to be allowed to monitor polling stations. In light of the advance voting errors, the EC should be more receptive to allowing non-partisan observers at Sunday's polls.

The current situation presents a Catch-22 scenario for the country, with concerns that potentially serious errors could render the election invalid. Such a scenario would prove damaging to the nation's democratisation efforts, potentially prolonging the power of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and his allies. It is crucial that all polling errors are thoroughly investigated, with re-elections held in affected constituencies if fraud is detected.

City Hall admits blunder as UTN's laser stunt goes viral

City Hall conceded yesterday that it had erred in allowing the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party to project a laser-lit election message onto a tower of Rama VIII Bridge.

The party had been granted access to Rama VIII Park for election campaigning on Monday. City Hall stated that it did not anticipate the party would project the laser message, which featured the UTN logo, from the park onto the nearby bridge's tower.

A netizen captured the display and posted it online, inciting criticism and raising questions as to why the UTN was permitted to use the bridge in such a manner.

Tipanan Sirichana, one of UTN's party-list candidates, 24 years old, submitted a letter to the city clerk on Sunday asking for permission to campaign for votes in the Rama 8 Park area from May 8-12, according to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

A document was attached to the letter providing details about the laser-lighting display on a tower of Rama VIII Bridge, he said.

Chadchart acknowledged the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had made an error by not scrutinising the document carefully and permitting the laser display to proceed.

Electioneering activities are prohibited on the bridge. The BMA, had it been aware of the planned laser message, would not have allowed it initially, the governor explained.

Chadchart informed that the BMA ordered the suspension of UTN's campaign activities in the park as soon as the laser display fiasco was brought to its attention.

As the mistake was clearly made by the BMA, the UTN will not face any penalties, he said. However, the issue of whether the party breached election law is a matter the Election Commission (EC) may need to consider, he added.

The BMA will write to the EC to clarify the situation, he said.

EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong stated that the EC had requested the BMA to investigate the incident.

The central question was whether the UTN had received permission from the BMA to execute the laser display.

EC deputy secretary-general Chanin Noilek commented that the display does not seem to have violated any election regulations. It is not classified as an election campaign poster, which would be subject to size and number restrictions.

The UTN released a statement on Tuesday, explaining that the laser display was initiated by Tipanan, who proceeded without consulting the party. The party apologised and pledged to exercise greater caution in the future.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is also a prime ministerial candidate of the UTN, expressed his understanding that Tipanan had no malicious intent in organising the light show.

Pheu Thai lays down 3 rules

Pheu Thai Family chief and prime ministerial candidate, Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, 32 years old, has outlined three conditions for the party in forming a coalition government, with one stipulation being that Pheu Thai must manage all major ministries.

In an hour-long interview broadcasted on TikTok and Instagram Live, hosted by celebrity Kachapa "Mod Dam" Tancharoen on Monday night, Paetongtarn expressed confidence that Pheu Thai's campaign pledges could all come to fruition, particularly its promise to enhance people's living conditions and promote startups.

Additionally, she committed to reducing illicit drug abuse by 50% within six months of the party taking control.

"Pheu Thai is cognisant of the nation's problems and has the expertise to tackle them. Hence, Pheu Thai is presently the prime choice for Thailand," she stated.

Paetongtarn maintained that Pheu Thai would never collaborate with the "two Por" – alluding to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.

With the election only days away, the party declared its confidence in forming the next government and its readiness to partner with other parties under three conditions: that other parties must accept its policies; that the prime minister must be a Pheu Thai candidate; and that major ministries must be supervised by Pheu Thai.

When questioned on the possibility of the Move Forward Party (MFP) collaborating with Pheu Thai, Paetongtarn revealed that the option is still being considered.

Regarding the revision of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, she insisted that Pheu Thai would not abolish it, but rather bring the matter to the parliament for debate.

"My father [Thaksin] became prime minister because he was chosen by the people, and he did not buy any votes. We have come this far because it is the will of the people," Paetongtarn said.

Upon being asked which of Pheu Thai's candidates would become prime minister, she responded that all three candidates, including Srettha Thavisin, have agreed to support one another to aid the country.

Meanwhile, Pannika Wanich, a co-founder of the now-defunct Future Forward Party who serves as a campaign assistant for the MFP, stated that the party's executive members believe Pheu Thai and the MFP could form a proficient government with over 300 seats.

Pannika mentioned that if the MFP wins the election, its leader and prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, would present its 312 policies and 40 laws to the parliament for discussion.

The MFP does not aspire to manage any specific ministry, she added.

Thai Sang Thai pans EEC as 'overly niche'

The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Thailand is failing to bring benefits to the country, due to its limited accessibility for small local businesses, according to the Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party. Prime ministerial candidate Supan Mongkolsutee claimed that the EEC scheme is designed to cater to large corporations, leaving many small businesses unable to meet criteria for establishing a presence within the corridor. Mongkolsutee called for government support for industries where Thais have a competitive advantage and suggested that the proportion of Thailand's GDP contributed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should be increased from 35% to 50%.

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has vowed to address the lack of coordination within the bureaucracy, which has left some communities without basic utilities such as electricity. Candidiate Wirat Warich-alangkarn identified a lack of cooperation between agencies in submitting requests to the proper authorities as the root cause of this issue.

Tensions are rising within the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party as a group of candidates, led by Preecha Rengsomboonsap, complained about a lack of support from the party. Preecha, who represents candidates in various provinces, visited party headquarters to voice the frustrations of the neglected members, suggesting the party ought to provide a better financial lifeline for candidates, up to the maximum amount permitted by law.

Lastly, Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, warned Pheu Thai not to make premature assumptions about the outcome of Sunday's election. He responded to comments made by Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin, who claimed that his party would oversee the Transport Ministry if it led the next coalition government. Anutin argued that it is not the time to make such claims, as official poll results must be awaited.

EC urged to bar MFP leader Pita

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list-MP candidate, yesterday accused Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), of holding shares in media company iTV Plc as of April 27 last year.

If the Election Commission agrees, Pita should be disqualified from running for parliament as Section 98(3) of the constitution prohibits holders of a media company from contesting a general election, said Ruangkrai.

He stated that today he would petition the commission to launch a formal investigation into Pita's alleged ineligibility to defend the House seat he won in the 2019 election.

Pita was sworn in on May 25, 2019, but the 42,000 iTV shares held at the time of his registration were omitted from the list of 45 assets he declared to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), according to Ruangkrai.

A check with the Department of Business Development showed Pita held the shares in iTV, each valued at 5 baht, as of April 27 last year, said Ruangkrai.

Citing information published on the website of iTV, Ruangkrai stated the company provides advertising and public relations services and earned 21 million baht in income last year.

Pita yesterday denied Ruangkrai's claim and said the iTV shares did not belong to him.

He tweeted, "I am not worried about the case because the shares are not mine. It's a family heritage, and I'm the manager of that. I informed the National Anti-Corruption Commission about this a long time ago."

He added that his party's legal team would be ready to provide any information if asked by the Election Commission.

Poll body sees voter turnout at above 80%

The Election Commission (EC) anticipates voter turnout to surpass 80% for Sunday's general election, as it intensifies its campaign to increase public awareness of the upcoming poll.

Led by EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, the Big Day campaign commenced on Tuesday outside City Hall in Bangkok, aiming to inspire the electorate to participate in the voting process.

City Hall reported that voter turnout for last Sunday's advance voting in Bangkok reached 91.81%, higher than the 87% observed during the same stage of the March 2019 poll.

Ittiporn expressed his hope that the campaign would encourage more people to vote and advised electorate members to examine the election rules beforehand to minimize void ballots.

The EC is striving to ensure that void ballots do not exceed 2% of all ballots cast this Sunday.

It maintained that the mistakes encountered during advance voting last weekend would not result in the election being declared null and void.

Ittiporn confirmed the EC is prepared to face an investigation regarding the errors, as the commission conducted advance voting in good faith.

The poll agency faced criticism over its handling of the May 7 advance voting.

One error involved officials at a voting station incorrectly labelling postal codes instead of electoral constituency codes on approximately 100 envelopes containing cast ballots.

The commission reassured that none of the cast ballots would be lost despite the error. The envelopes with incorrect codes will be cross-checked against the logbook of registered voters, Ittiporn stated.

He announced that the commission would make every effort to avoid any recurrence this weekend.

Ittiporn also noted that the EC did not feel excessive pressure, instead being grateful that the public and media were monitoring its work to help improve its efficiency.

"Without the monitoring from the people and the media, the EC may not be able to deliver such a complete job," he commented.

Ittiporn added that the EC is currently investigating the poll fraud complaints it has received.

In total, 101 complaints have been submitted to the EC, with 38 related to vote buying and 34 to alleged smear campaigns.

Provincial election offices have up to 20 days to complete their investigations into the complaints. However, these investigations can be extended for an additional 15 days.

The EC chairman emphasised that none of the investigations should be rushed.

Pheu Thai lays down 3 rules

Pheu Thai Family Chief and prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra has announced three conditions for the party in forming a coalition government, with one being that Pheu Thai must oversee all major ministries.

She gave an hour-long interview published on TikTok and Instagram Live that was hosted by celebrity Kachapa "Mod Dam" Tancharoen on Monday night.

Paetongtarn said Pheu Thai's campaign pledges could all materialise, especially its vow to improve people's living conditions and promote startups.

She also pledged that illicit drug abuse would be slashed in half within six months of the party taking power.

"Pheu Thai is aware of the nation's problems and knows how to deal with them. So, Pheu Thai is now the best choice for Thailand," she said.

Paetongtarn insisted Pheu Thai would never cooperate with the "two Por" – a reference to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.

Despite the election being several days away, the party announced that it is confident it will form the next government and is prepared to work with other parties under three conditions.

These are that other parties must accept its policies, that the prime minister must be a Pheu Thai candidate, and that major ministries must be overseen by Pheu Thai.

Asked if there was any chance of the Move Forward Party (MFP) working with Pheu Thai, Paetongtarn said that was still on the table.

Regarding the revision of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, she insisted Pheu Thai would not scrap it. Rather, she said, the matter would be tabled for discussion in parliament.

"My father [Thaksin] became prime minister because he was chosen by the people, and he did not buy any votes. We have come this far because it is the will of the people," Paetongtarn said.

When asked who among Pheu Thai's candidates would become prime minister, she said all three candidates, including Srettha Thavisin, have agreed to support one another to help the country.

Meanwhile, Pannika Wanich, a co-founder of the now-defunct Future Forward Party who works as a campaign assistant for the MFP, said the party's executive members believed Pheu Thai and the MFP could form a competent government with more than 300 seats.

Pannika said if the MFP wins the contest, its leader and prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, would submit its 312 policies and 40 laws to parliament for discussion.

The MFP does not aim to oversee any specific ministry, she said.

Pheu Thai closes door on PPRP tie-up

Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, emphasised on Sunday that the party will not form a coalition government with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) following the election.

During a Facebook livestream, Paetongtarn stated that Pheu Thai would not enter into an alliance with Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon, before encouraging the livestream audience to vote for her party to enable it to form a government after May 14.

"Otherwise, we can't defeat the senators," she said, alluding to the 250 coup-appointed Senate's role in jointly electing a prime minister.

Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Pheu Thai's chief adviser on public participation and innovation, claimed that the party hopes to have MPs representing people in the South so it can promote policies that benefit residents.

Meanwhile, Srettha Thavisin, another Pheu Thai prime ministerial contender, dismissed the results of recent surveys suggesting the popularity of the Move Forward Party (MFP) was growing.

"Pheu Thai's poll results also indicate the party's popularity is growing. We are still confident we will secure more than half of the 500 House seats.

"I am uncertain if poll results will influence voters' decisions. It all depends on policies. Elections are no child's play. It is an arena for battles among experienced individuals," said Thavisin.

Thavisin stated that the MFP's popularity still pales in comparison to Pheu Thai's, which has extensive and solid support base.

"The results of surveys come partially from social media. A survey questioned only about 2,000-2,500 while there are tens of millions of eligible voters. Let's wait and see the results of the election," Thavisin mentioned.

Besides Paetongtarn and Thavisin, Chaikasem Nitisiri is also a Pheu Thai candidate for the prime minister role.

At the same time, Pita Limjaroenrat, MFP's leader and prime ministerial candidate, stated he is prepared to become prime minister, and the MFP is ready to collaborate with parties in the current opposition bloc to form a coalition after the next election.

"The incoming government must consist of parties that come from the opposition bloc -- the MFP, Pheu Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, and Prachachat," Limjaroenrat claimed.

"I believe that if we can create an alliance, we can win more than 300 House seats, which will help prevent any political accident," said Limjaroenrat, adding that if the MFP leads a new government, it will do everything in its power to change the country for the better.

Don't mess with lese majeste law: Prayut

On a recent campaign stop in Krabi, Prime Minister and United Thai Nation (UTN) Party premier candidate Prayut Chan-o-cha urged politicians and voters not to support any effort to reform laws relating to the monarchy. The UTN Party is popular with Krabi voters, and Gen Prayut encouraged supporters to vote for the party and its MP candidates.

He specifically asked those in attendance not to back the push to abolish Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which is also referred to as the lese majeste law. Some parties on the democratic side of the political spectrum have called for changes to this law.

"The law is the law, so don't meddle with it too much, especially with regards to the 'law above'," he said, making an apparent reference to the royal insult law.

However, Gen Prayut assured that the UTN supports amending or even scrapping other laws that obstruct efforts to improve the conditions of low-income individuals, who form the foundation of the country.

"We can rebuild the house, but we shouldn't destroy the foundation," he said.

In his speech, Gen Prayut explained that he joined the UTN with a determined aim to change the country for the better and without any personal interests.

"I have performed as Prime Minister in the most dutiful and ethical manner during the past eight years. If I did everything for my personal gain, would I have lasted this long as premier?" he said, also adding that people should not dislike those in uniform who have become politicians.

Gen Prayut stated that he would not hesitate to punish unruly soldiers or police officers and urged the public to disregard unrealistic promises made by politicians ahead of the election.

While campaigning for UTN MP candidate Sanpetch Srisawat in Muang district, Gen Prayut encouraged supporters by saying that all Thais must be strong and be ready to move forward with the UTN.

He said he has tried his best during his tenure as the country's leader and wants to help poor people increase their income, promote social equality, and ensure fairness before the law. He asked the audience to trust him and his experience.

Cheaper power used to woo voters

Costly electricity bills are leading political parties to promote their energy policies against their rivals, aiming to capture voters' attention in next week's general election.

The push for new energy management policies comes in response to a new power tariff of 4.70 baht per kilowatt-hour taking effect on May 1. As a higher power tariff leads to more expensive electricity bills, the Energy Regulatory Commission decided to reduce the power tariff for households and businesses.

Pichai Naripthaphan, 48 years old, a former energy minister working with the Pheu Thai Party, said the party plans to lower the cost of electricity, oil, and gas in the short term to alleviate consumers' financial burdens. Over the long term, the party aims to progress talks on an overlapping claim area (OCA) between Thailand and Cambodia to collaboratively develop a new petroleum site in the upper part of the Gulf of Thailand.

According to the Department of Mineral Fuels, the OCA is likely to be a new petroleum source for both countries, as it is near the Bongkot and Erawan gas blocks. Pichai also stated that the party would continue to promote increased use of renewable energy to decrease dependence on fossil fuels.

Korn Chatikavanij, leader of the Chart Pattanakla Party, said on the campaign trail that the power tariff of 4.70 baht per unit is too high, considering the current price of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). As LNG prices continue to fall, Korn suggested that authorities consider recalculating or even waiving the fuel tariff for three months so power bills would more accurately reflect the actual cost of electricity generation.

Other parties have also pledged to lower electricity prices and promote renewable energy. Mingkwan Sangsuwan, a key member of the Palang Pracharath Party's economic team, promised to significantly reduce power bills. The Democrat Party emphasized the need to restructure energy prices in the country, while the Bhumjaithai and Move Forward parties committed to promoting greater use of solar power.

The critical first 100 days

With the general election drawing near, business leaders are considering Thailand's future in the first 100 days under a new administration. Executives are expressing their wishes for the incoming government, from appointing suitable ministers to implementing policies that will improve the business sector.

Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, chairman of industrial developer WHA Group, hopes that a new government will be able to drive Thailand forward, overcoming economic challenges through suitable ministerial appointments. She emphasizes the need for ministers who can lead the nation and handle various issues following the full reopening of Thailand.

Business executives also hope for a government that addresses the burden of high living costs, focusing on both short-term and long-term economic policies. Concerned with the impact of the pandemic on the aviation industry, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, CEO of Nok Air, calls for a five-year extension to the fuel excise tax reduction set to expire in June. He also suggests lowering airport fees and investing in airport infrastructure to improve the transport and logistics industries.

Furthermore, Somchai Lertsutiwong, CEO of Advanced Info Service, highlights the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rather than only focusing on large corporations. He argues that the incoming government must also prioritize the needs of low-income individuals to promote more sustainable economic growth.

Business leaders are also looking forward to long-term clean energy policies and innovations in the power sector. Kirana Limpaphayom, CEO of Banpu Power Plc, believes Thailand is ready for free power trading as the country has been utilizing renewable energy technologies for years.

With the global economy still volatile, many opportunities lie ahead for both domestic and foreign investment in critical business sectors such as real estate and tourism. In this context, the incoming government has a chance to rebuild confidence, modernize the economy, and create a sustainable basis for national development.

Busy day as first votes cast

Advance voting yesterday saw a significant turnout nationwide, with people eager to exercise their democratic rights after a four-year wait.

The Election Commission (EC) reported that 2,235,830 individuals registered for early voting across the country yesterday, ahead of the kingdom's May 14 election.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt mentioned that everything ran smoothly, with only minor issues being reported at polling stations, such as at Ramkhamhaeng University where some voters fainted due to hot weather.

Water trucks were brought in to spray water and reduce the temperature in the area, he said.

Chadchart added that over 40,000 people were anticipated to attend advance voting at Siam Paragon shopping mall, and the process went smoothly thanks to efficient management.

He stated that City Hall will ensure ballot boxes are well-kept and guarded, and an online surveillance system has been installed to monitor them.

At Ramkhamhaeng University, a total of 52,771 individuals registered for early voting, with long queues of people waiting to cast their ballots under the blazing sun.

However, one voter, who asked to remain anonymous, commented that there were not enough officials on duty to handle the large turnout, resulting in a long waiting time.

In Ayutthaya, 41,421 people, primarily workers at industrial factories in the province and residents from the North, Northeast, and Bangkok, registered to attend.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, 44,195 individuals signed up to vote in 16 constituencies.

Over half, or 22,842, attended voting for the first constituency at Central Plaza shopping mall in Muang district.

In Yala, 9,021 were eligible for advance voting, both from outside their constituencies and at local polling stations.

Meanwhile, in Khon Kaen, a group of villagers from Muang district filed a petition with the provincial election committee yesterday, accusing a Pheu Thai Party candidate of vote-buying.

The Ban Non Ruang residents were accompanied by Pongsak Songnok, the village headman, and a lawyer, as they submitted the petition to Vachara Seesarn, director of the office of the Khon Kaen election committee.

Photos and video clips of money being handed over to attendees of a speech by a Pheu Thai candidate at a local rally were provided to Vachara as evidence.

After accepting the petition, investigators at the Khon Kaen election office immediately took the group to an investigation room for private questioning. Pongsak said he travelled along to offer moral support.

EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee revealed that the EC has received 92 complaints of election law violations, most of which occurred in Bangkok and involved vote-buying.

Sawaeng also noted that the unusually high number of people who registered to vote in advance in Yasothon and Amnat Charoen raised concern, and the EC is investigating the matter.

He added that ballots cast by overseas voters have already been sent in by 68 Thai consulates, while the other 26 consulates are expected to send ballot boxes within the next 3-5 days.

Sawaeng mentioned that officials at a Nonthaburi advance polling station wrote incorrect details about the constituencies and provinces of voters on parcels of used ballots.

The errors were discovered after around 100 people had cast their votes there.

After learning of the mistakes, election officials corrected them, and there should not be any problems with the vote counts in constituencies and provinces on election day, Sawaeng stated.

"I confirm that the used ballots will be sent to their respective constituencies. The incident was the fault of our officials. An investigation will determine if these were honest mistakes," he said.

Social media users expressed their frustration over the errors.

Many people demanded legal action against election commissioners, including their impeachment.

Pheu Thai closes door on PPRP tie-up

Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, emphasised on Sunday that the party will not form a coalition government with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) following the election.

During a Facebook livestream, Paetongtarn stated that Pheu Thai would not enter into an alliance with Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon, before encouraging the livestream audience to vote for her party to enable it to form a government after May 14.

"Otherwise, we can't defeat the senators," she said, alluding to the 250 coup-appointed Senate's role in jointly electing a prime minister.

Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Pheu Thai's chief adviser on public participation and innovation, claimed that the party hopes to have MPs representing people in the South so it can promote policies that benefit residents.

Meanwhile, Srettha Thavisin, another Pheu Thai prime ministerial contender, dismissed the results of recent surveys suggesting the popularity of the Move Forward Party (MFP) was growing.

"Pheu Thai's poll results also indicate the party's popularity is growing. We are still confident we will secure more than half of the 500 House seats.

"I am uncertain if poll results will influence voters' decisions. It all depends on policies. Elections are no child's play. It is an arena for battles among experienced individuals," said Thavisin.

Thavisin stated that the MFP's popularity still pales in comparison to Pheu Thai's, which has extensive and solid support base.

"The results of surveys come partially from social media. A survey questioned only about 2,000-2,500 while there are tens of millions of eligible voters. Let's wait and see the results of the election," Thavisin mentioned.

Besides Paetongtarn and Thavisin, Chaikasem Nitisiri is also a Pheu Thai candidate for the prime minister role.

At the same time, Pita Limjaroenrat, MFP's leader and prime ministerial candidate, stated he is prepared to become prime minister, and the MFP is ready to collaborate with parties in the current opposition bloc to form a coalition after the next election.

"The incoming government must consist of parties that come from the opposition bloc -- the MFP, Pheu Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, and Prachachat," Limjaroenrat claimed.

"I believe that if we can create an alliance, we can win more than 300 House seats, which will help prevent any political accident," said Limjaroenrat, adding that if the MFP leads a new government, it will do everything in its power to change the country for the better.

Police on look-out for election crime

As the May 14 election approaches, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) are intensifying efforts to curb criminal activity, particularly vote buying and electoral fraud, primarily in the southern regions of the country.

Commissioner Jirabhop Bhuridej, 56 years old, of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), has directed affiliated agencies to inspect high-risk areas to prevent violent incidents before the elections. The CIB has proactively initiated crackdowns to eliminate influential figures and hired gunmen.

Emphasizing the importance of neutrality in politics to ensure transparency, Bhuridej stated that the CIB will not tolerate any officers or agencies found to be involved in such offences. The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has been instructed to suppress gunmen in each area.

Last Tuesday, CSD commander Montree Theskhan, 58 years old, led more than 80 Hanuman task force officers to raid the bases of the so-called Cabin gang at multiple locations in Trang and Phatthalung. The CSD acted on six arrest warrants issued by Trang Provincial Court on charges including colluding in premeditated murder and firearms offences.

Six men were sought, including Sarawut Kiatnui and Suriyaporn Chantawong. A tip-off indicated that hitmen were planning to threaten and eliminate certain political canvassers in the South, Bhuridej said.

The Cabin gang is a collection of gunmen and young troublemakers. They originally operated in Phatthalung's Muang district before relocating to Hat Samran district in Trang and parts of Satun. The gang would undertake various tasks, including collecting drug money owed by buyers, and conducting assassinations. Members have been charged with multiple offences, including murder and drugs.

Bhuridej explained that the police operation aimed to eliminate influential figures and hitmen to prevent any impact on the election. Additionally, the police have been deployed in each constituency, responding to any intelligence about illegal activities, particularly in the South.

The CIB is also focusing on areas where assassinations have previously occurred. Hanuman task force officers caught three gunmen during a local election, arresting Noppadon Anthong for his involvement in the murder of a tambon administrative organisation chairman in Nakhon Nayok last April.

Bhuridej stated that electoral fraud, including vote-buying, is being closely watched, and the Anti-Corruption Division has been instructed to keep an eye on misconduct by state officials.

Meanwhile, the RTP has established a safety centre to oversee the election, ensuring people comply with the law. Centre spokesperson Nithithorn Chintakanon, 60 years old, said staff would inform people about the risks of violating election laws and educate police about poll regulations.

Chintakanon also urged individuals to report any illegal activities to the police via the 191 or 1599 hotlines, the Election Commission's 1444 hotline or local law enforcement.

Don't mess with lese majeste law: Prayut

On a recent campaign stop in Krabi, Prime Minister and United Thai Nation (UTN) Party premier candidate Prayut Chan-o-cha urged politicians and voters not to support any effort to reform laws relating to the monarchy. The UTN Party is popular with Krabi voters, and Gen Prayut encouraged supporters to vote for the party and its MP candidates.

He specifically asked those in attendance not to back the push to abolish Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which is also referred to as the lese majeste law. Some parties on the democratic side of the political spectrum have called for changes to this law.

"The law is the law, so don't meddle with it too much, especially with regards to the 'law above'," he said, making an apparent reference to the royal insult law.

However, Gen Prayut assured that the UTN supports amending or even scrapping other laws that obstruct efforts to improve the conditions of low-income individuals, who form the foundation of the country.

"We can rebuild the house, but we shouldn't destroy the foundation," he said.

In his speech, Gen Prayut explained that he joined the UTN with a determined aim to change the country for the better and without any personal interests.

"I have performed as Prime Minister in the most dutiful and ethical manner during the past eight years. If I did everything for my personal gain, would I have lasted this long as premier?" he said, also adding that people should not dislike those in uniform who have become politicians.

Gen Prayut stated that he would not hesitate to punish unruly soldiers or police officers and urged the public to disregard unrealistic promises made by politicians ahead of the election.

While campaigning for UTN MP candidate Sanpetch Srisawat in Muang district, Gen Prayut encouraged supporters by saying that all Thais must be strong and be ready to move forward with the UTN.

He said he has tried his best during his tenure as the country's leader and wants to help poor people increase their income, promote social equality, and ensure fairness before the law. He asked the audience to trust him and his experience.

Cheaper power used to woo voters

Costly electricity bills are leading political parties to promote their energy policies against their rivals, aiming to capture voters' attention in next week's general election.

The push for new energy management policies comes in response to a new power tariff of 4.70 baht per kilowatt-hour taking effect on May 1. As a higher power tariff leads to more expensive electricity bills, the Energy Regulatory Commission decided to reduce the power tariff for households and businesses.

Pichai Naripthaphan, 48 years old, a former energy minister working with the Pheu Thai Party, said the party plans to lower the cost of electricity, oil, and gas in the short term to alleviate consumers' financial burdens. Over the long term, the party aims to progress talks on an overlapping claim area (OCA) between Thailand and Cambodia to collaboratively develop a new petroleum site in the upper part of the Gulf of Thailand.

According to the Department of Mineral Fuels, the OCA is likely to be a new petroleum source for both countries, as it is near the Bongkot and Erawan gas blocks. Pichai also stated that the party would continue to promote increased use of renewable energy to decrease dependence on fossil fuels.

Korn Chatikavanij, leader of the Chart Pattanakla Party, said on the campaign trail that the power tariff of 4.70 baht per unit is too high, considering the current price of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). As LNG prices continue to fall, Korn suggested that authorities consider recalculating or even waiving the fuel tariff for three months so power bills would more accurately reflect the actual cost of electricity generation.

Other parties have also pledged to lower electricity prices and promote renewable energy. Mingkwan Sangsuwan, a key member of the Palang Pracharath Party's economic team, promised to significantly reduce power bills. The Democrat Party emphasized the need to restructure energy prices in the country, while the Bhumjaithai and Move Forward parties committed to promoting greater use of solar power.

The critical first 100 days

With the general election drawing near, business leaders are considering Thailand's future in the first 100 days under a new administration. Executives are expressing their wishes for the incoming government, from appointing suitable ministers to implementing policies that will improve the business sector.

Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, chairman of industrial developer WHA Group, hopes that a new government will be able to drive Thailand forward, overcoming economic challenges through suitable ministerial appointments. She emphasizes the need for ministers who can lead the nation and handle various issues following the full reopening of Thailand.

Business executives also hope for a government that addresses the burden of high living costs, focusing on both short-term and long-term economic policies. Concerned with the impact of the pandemic on the aviation industry, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, CEO of Nok Air, calls for a five-year extension to the fuel excise tax reduction set to expire in June. He also suggests lowering airport fees and investing in airport infrastructure to improve the transport and logistics industries.

Furthermore, Somchai Lertsutiwong, CEO of Advanced Info Service, highlights the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rather than only focusing on large corporations. He argues that the incoming government must also prioritize the needs of low-income individuals to promote more sustainable economic growth.

Business leaders are also looking forward to long-term clean energy policies and innovations in the power sector. Kirana Limpaphayom, CEO of Banpu Power Plc, believes Thailand is ready for free power trading as the country has been utilizing renewable energy technologies for years.

With the global economy still volatile, many opportunities lie ahead for both domestic and foreign investment in critical business sectors such as real estate and tourism. In this context, the incoming government has a chance to rebuild confidence, modernize the economy, and create a sustainable basis for national development.

Busy day as first votes cast

Advance voting yesterday saw a significant turnout nationwide, with people eager to exercise their democratic rights after a four-year wait.

The Election Commission (EC) reported that 2,235,830 individuals registered for early voting across the country yesterday, ahead of the kingdom's May 14 election.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt mentioned that everything ran smoothly, with only minor issues being reported at polling stations, such as at Ramkhamhaeng University where some voters fainted due to hot weather.

Water trucks were brought in to spray water and reduce the temperature in the area, he said.

Chadchart added that over 40,000 people were anticipated to attend advance voting at Siam Paragon shopping mall, and the process went smoothly thanks to efficient management.

He stated that City Hall will ensure ballot boxes are well-kept and guarded, and an online surveillance system has been installed to monitor them.

At Ramkhamhaeng University, a total of 52,771 individuals registered for early voting, with long queues of people waiting to cast their ballots under the blazing sun.

However, one voter, who asked to remain anonymous, commented that there were not enough officials on duty to handle the large turnout, resulting in a long waiting time.

In Ayutthaya, 41,421 people, primarily workers at industrial factories in the province and residents from the North, Northeast, and Bangkok, registered to attend.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, 44,195 individuals signed up to vote in 16 constituencies.

Over half, or 22,842, attended voting for the first constituency at Central Plaza shopping mall in Muang district.

In Yala, 9,021 were eligible for advance voting, both from outside their constituencies and at local polling stations.

Meanwhile, in Khon Kaen, a group of villagers from Muang district filed a petition with the provincial election committee yesterday, accusing a Pheu Thai Party candidate of vote-buying.

The Ban Non Ruang residents were accompanied by Pongsak Songnok, the village headman, and a lawyer, as they submitted the petition to Vachara Seesarn, director of the office of the Khon Kaen election committee.

Photos and video clips of money being handed over to attendees of a speech by a Pheu Thai candidate at a local rally were provided to Vachara as evidence.

After accepting the petition, investigators at the Khon Kaen election office immediately took the group to an investigation room for private questioning. Pongsak said he travelled along to offer moral support.

EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee revealed that the EC has received 92 complaints of election law violations, most of which occurred in Bangkok and involved vote-buying.

Sawaeng also noted that the unusually high number of people who registered to vote in advance in Yasothon and Amnat Charoen raised concern, and the EC is investigating the matter.

He added that ballots cast by overseas voters have already been sent in by 68 Thai consulates, while the other 26 consulates are expected to send ballot boxes within the next 3-5 days.

Sawaeng mentioned that officials at a Nonthaburi advance polling station wrote incorrect details about the constituencies and provinces of voters on parcels of used ballots.

The errors were discovered after around 100 people had cast their votes there.

After learning of the mistakes, election officials corrected them, and there should not be any problems with the vote counts in constituencies and provinces on election day, Sawaeng stated.

"I confirm that the used ballots will be sent to their respective constituencies. The incident was the fault of our officials. An investigation will determine if these were honest mistakes," he said.

Social media users expressed their frustration over the errors.

Many people demanded legal action against election commissioners, including their impeachment.

Police on look-out for election crime

As the May 14 election approaches, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) are intensifying efforts to curb criminal activity, particularly vote buying and electoral fraud, primarily in the southern regions of the country.

Commissioner Jirabhop Bhuridej, 56 years old, of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), has directed affiliated agencies to inspect high-risk areas to prevent violent incidents before the elections. The CIB has proactively initiated crackdowns to eliminate influential figures and hired gunmen.

Emphasizing the importance of neutrality in politics to ensure transparency, Bhuridej stated that the CIB will not tolerate any officers or agencies found to be involved in such offences. The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has been instructed to suppress gunmen in each area.

Last Tuesday, CSD commander Montree Theskhan, 58 years old, led more than 80 Hanuman task force officers to raid the bases of the so-called Cabin gang at multiple locations in Trang and Phatthalung. The CSD acted on six arrest warrants issued by Trang Provincial Court on charges including colluding in premeditated murder and firearms offences.

Six men were sought, including Sarawut Kiatnui and Suriyaporn Chantawong. A tip-off indicated that hitmen were planning to threaten and eliminate certain political canvassers in the South, Bhuridej said.

The Cabin gang is a collection of gunmen and young troublemakers. They originally operated in Phatthalung's Muang district before relocating to Hat Samran district in Trang and parts of Satun. The gang would undertake various tasks, including collecting drug money owed by buyers, and conducting assassinations. Members have been charged with multiple offences, including murder and drugs.

Bhuridej explained that the police operation aimed to eliminate influential figures and hitmen to prevent any impact on the election. Additionally, the police have been deployed in each constituency, responding to any intelligence about illegal activities, particularly in the South.

The CIB is also focusing on areas where assassinations have previously occurred. Hanuman task force officers caught three gunmen during a local election, arresting Noppadon Anthong for his involvement in the murder of a tambon administrative organisation chairman in Nakhon Nayok last April.

Bhuridej stated that electoral fraud, including vote-buying, is being closely watched, and the Anti-Corruption Division has been instructed to keep an eye on misconduct by state officials.

Meanwhile, the RTP has established a safety centre to oversee the election, ensuring people comply with the law. Centre spokesperson Nithithorn Chintakanon, 60 years old, said staff would inform people about the risks of violating election laws and educate police about poll regulations.

Chintakanon also urged individuals to report any illegal activities to the police via the 191 or 1599 hotlines, the Election Commission's 1444 hotline or local law enforcement.

Election Commission slammed for wrong data on cast ballots

The Election Commission (EC) faced significant criticism after workers at an advance voting station provided incorrect details on constituencies and provinces of cast ballots on Sunday.

EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee revealed that workers at the Nonthaburi advance voting station had written incorrect details regarding the constituencies and provinces of voters on parcels of used ballots. The errors were discovered after approximately 100 people had cast their votes at the location.

Upon discovering the mistakes, election officials promptly corrected them, ensuring that there would be no issues with vote counts for any constituencies and provinces on election day, May 14, Sawaeng said.

Sawaeng confirmed that the used ballots would be sent to their respective constituencies, and an investigation would determine if these errors were simply honest mistakes. "The incident was the fault of our officials," the EC Secretary-General stated.

He also reassured that such mistakes would not occur on election day next Sunday, as voters would cast their ballots at their designated polling stations, unlike the advance stations on this Sunday.

Frustration over the errors spread on social media, with many individuals demanding legal action against election commissioners, including calls for their impeachment.

Election Commission slammed for wrong data on cast ballots

The Election Commission (EC) faced significant criticism after workers at an advance voting station provided incorrect details on constituencies and provinces of cast ballots on Sunday.

EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee revealed that workers at the Nonthaburi advance voting station had written incorrect details regarding the constituencies and provinces of voters on parcels of used ballots. The errors were discovered after approximately 100 people had cast their votes at the location.

Upon discovering the mistakes, election officials promptly corrected them, ensuring that there would be no issues with vote counts for any constituencies and provinces on election day, May 14, Sawaeng said.

Sawaeng confirmed that the used ballots would be sent to their respective constituencies, and an investigation would determine if these errors were simply honest mistakes. "The incident was the fault of our officials," the EC Secretary-General stated.

He also reassured that such mistakes would not occur on election day next Sunday, as voters would cast their ballots at their designated polling stations, unlike the advance stations on this Sunday.

Frustration over the errors spread on social media, with many individuals demanding legal action against election commissioners, including calls for their impeachment.

Early voting begins

Advance voters queued under the sweltering sun outside temples, shopping centres, and schools to cast their early ballots on Sunday ahead of the much-anticipated election on May 14.

The highest number of voters - 52,771 - registered to cast their advance ballots at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok's Hua Mak area.

People registered for advance voting can cast their votes at designated polling stations nationwide from 8am-5pm.

Over two million Thais nationwide are registered to vote early ahead of the kingdom's May 14 election, which is shaping up to be a clash between army-backed establishment parties and resurgent opposition movements.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who took power in a 2014 coup before consolidating control in a controversial 2019 election, has been struggling in opinion polls with voters favouring old-school opposition party Pheu Thai and the more radical Move Forward Party.

However, with an electoral system seen by many as heavily stacked in favour of the army-backed parties, challengers must achieve a landslide victory to have any hope of forming the next government.

"I hope this election will change the country in a better way," said shopping mall worker Srisuda Wongsa-ad, 28 years old, after casting her ballot.

She was among hundreds queueing quietly at a polling station in the city's fashionable Ekkamai district to vote at the Wat That Thong temple, overlooked by golden standing buddhas.

"I am voting for a candidate and party that I like, that can answer my needs," she said, adding that she was voting early as it was more convenient for her.

Elsewhere in the city, the Royal Paragon Hall shopping centre was packed with voters, who were cooler ones, enjoying the complex's air conditioning.

Despite the early hour, temperatures across the capital were soaring and expected to hit 39 degrees Celsius later Sunday.

But crowds were still out in force, with traffic and congestion around busy polling stations.

"I am quite excited," said first-time voter Pasawee Sriarunothai, 20 years old, who will be out of Bangkok on May 14.

"I decide to cast my vote based on the party's policies, and I hope this election will bring the country a better future," Pasawee said.

An additional 100,000 Thais living overseas will also vote early, with some having already done so.

More than 52 million citizens are eligible to vote in this election.

The Royal Thai Police Office has set up a security and peace maintenance centre for elections under the supervision of deputy national police chief Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote. Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Jintakanon, the centre's spokesman, said all police stations where advance voting is taking place have been instructed to facilitate traffic in their areas of responsibility, while voters should plan their travel ahead of time.

Alcohol sales are banned nationwide until 6pm.

Throughout the country, there are 26 polling stations where more than 20,000 voters have registered to cast their votes - 11 in Bangkok and 15 in other provinces.

Traisuree Taisaranakul, a deputy government spokesperson, said eligible voters are required to show Thai national ID cards or other identification cards issued by state agencies such as driver's licenses and passports. They can also show electronic identification cards using ThaiID app, DLT QR LICENCE app, or the application for people with disabilities.

People cast their votes in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi on Sunday.

Vote-buying petition filed against Pheu Thai candidate

Khon Kaen: A group of villagers from a village in Muang district of this northeastern province filed a petition with the provincial election committee on Sunday morning, accusing a Pheu Thai Party candidate of vote-buying.

The villagers from Ban Non Ruang village in tambon Ban Kho of Muang district were accompanied by Pongsak Songnok, the village headman, and a lawyer, when they submitted the petition to Vachara Seesarn, director of the office of the Khon Kaen election committee. Photos and video clips of money being handed over to villagers who turned up for the speech by a Pheu Thai candidate at a rally in the village were reportedly handed over to Vachara. After the petition was officially accepted, investigators at the Khon Kaen election office immediately started questioning the petitioners in an investigation room. Outsiders and members of the media were not allowed.

Pongsak, the village chief, said he accompanied the villagers to give them moral support. The election committee was now in an investigation process, he added. The lawyer, who asked not to be named, said he was acting as a legal advisor to the villagers who witnessed the alleged fraud.

Vachara, director of the provincial election committee, said the petition was now being examined and the petitioners had been kept as witnesses. The documents and evidence submitted would be examined and the witnesses would be further investigated to establish whether the accusation had grounds.

No fan of 'possible' minority govt

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has denied advocating for the establishment of a minority government following the May 14 election due to strong disapproval from numerous sectors. He maintained that he had not endorsed the idea nor prompted anyone to act on it.

Wissanu stated, "I only provided an explanation when reporters asked me about the matter. When reporters inquired if a minority government is feasible, I said it is viable. If I said otherwise, I would be dishonest. However, under normal circumstances, that should not occur."

"In principle, any party that secures a majority of House seats should have the right to establish a government. However, should a deadlock occur, a minority government remains a possibility."

"Furthermore, even a prime ministerial candidate who is nominated by a party that fails to win a majority must still obtain the most votes of support in parliament in order to be victorious," he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hopes for the next government to be formed by a party that wins a majority of House seats to ensure the smooth running of the country's affairs.

Politicians and academics have voiced strong opposition to any attempts to create a minority government after the May 14 election, cautioning that this could lead to street demonstrations that could result in another coup. Critics believe that such a government would be unstable and could falter in a vote of no-confidence or key financial bills.

These warnings occurred after Wissanu dismissed the chance of a political vacuum or deadlock arising after the election, although he did express concern that the formation of a new government could take longer than usual.

His comments were made as polls indicate that some of the leading parties are drawing closer in popularity. While Wissanu believes that any party winning a majority of House seats would be able to form a new government, he noted that there are some uncertainties that could result in the winning party securing fewer seats and needing to work on creating a coalition government instead.

Conscription blues

The issue of compulsory military service has gained national attention in the lead-up to the May 14 polls, with several parties pledging to end it in favour of voluntary enlistment if elected as the next government.

In Thailand, serving in the armed forces is considered a national duty under the law. Physically fit men at the age of 21 must undergo military service for up to two years.

Party proposals to scrap conscription have struck a chord with many voters who view compulsory military service as a hindrance to pursuing personal interests and career opportunities. They also associate it with poor welfare, labour abuse, and harsh treatment.

The Defence Ministry insists it has heard the call to end conscription and put in place a programme to switch to voluntary enlistment. However, it has only met 30-40% of the quota, and the need for conscription to make up the shortage remains.

Maintaining national defence

According to Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, the military needs about 100,000 new recruits each year to fill various posts. After 10 weeks of basic training, about 30,000 conscripts, or one-third of new recruits, are sent to fill seven border defence units, including those in the South. The rest of the recruits are sent to various units of the three armed forces, the Defence Ministry and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, with roles assigned according to their units, such as those mitigating the threat of drugs and cybercrime or engaging in disaster relief operations.

"When there is a flood or fire near a military unit, these conscripts can be relied on to help people in distress, although it isn't their core mission," Gen Kongcheep said.

He said the number of people volunteering to join the military has gradually increased from about 20% to 35-40% over recent years. During this year's conscription season, a total of 35,617 people, or 38% of the quota, have joined voluntarily. The rest are recruited through the conscription draw.

Responding to claims that there are too many conscripts, the spokesman said only one-fifth or 100,000 out of 500,000 soldiers are drafted each year. Those who do not want to enter service can undergo territorial defence training, known as Ror Dor, for three years to be exempted from the draft.

Former army commander Gen Apirat Kongsompong relaxed some rules and cut back on physical training to encourage students to join Ror Dor training.

Transition to voluntary system

The army offers incentives to attract new volunteers, including job opportunities, said Maj Gen Sirichan Ngathong, deputy spokeswoman for the army. Conscripts who are about to leave the service can apply to continue as non-commissioned officers, while those who apply at an army sergeant school are awarded extra points.

About 4,000 positions in the army are available for conscripts who are about to be discharged. In addition, the army provides vocational training for conscripts who want to leave after fulfilling their military obligations. The army has joined hands with the Department of Skill Development, the Department of Employment, and the private sector to find jobs and boost employment opportunities.

According to Maj Gen Sirichan, people aged 18-22 can also apply to join the military, not just those aged 21, who are legally required to report for duty. Those who sign up can apply online and choose units in their home provinces.

Regarding welfare, the army has improved the living conditions of conscripts, adding that they are considered "the army's youngest brothers".

Abuse scandals

Media reports of assault and abuse have stirred up controversy with the conscription system, according to a source. Although scandals involving hazing or labour abuse are less frequent, when a scandal erupts, it casts the armed forces in a bad light, making military service less attractive, the source said.

Compulsory enlistment is seen as depriving people of their opportunities to pursue their interests or make money to support their families. While conscripts are given salaries and allowances, the amount is not enough, and some complain about their food allowance being embezzled.

The armed forces have implemented measures to address these issues, such as directly transferring money to conscript accounts, creating Line groups for conscripts to stay in contact with their families, and opening barracks for family visits.

Gen Kongcheep insisted there is no such thing as "servants" in the military, but said there are thurakarn conscripts who perform tasks and errands as their official duty and do not run personal errands for officers.

"Thurakarn conscripts are not given jobs like doing laundry or household chores. If this happens, the unit commander will be held accountable," he said.

However, an army source said the practice of assigning one or two conscripts to work at the houses of senior officers remains and their tasks include doing laundry, cooking, and driving. According to the source, some conscripts, after completing basic training, prefer being assigned as aides to officers because they want to avoid more training, with a chance of being given extra allowances or considered for work after being discharged.

"If their bosses are high-ranking officers, they can expect other benefits and support. It is a deep-rooted practice in the military," said the source.

However, this could change due to growing calls for the abolition of conscription and the downsizing of conscription numbers.

Avoid hate speech

Politicians and the armed forces may have to sit down for talks and find a consensus when it comes to downsizing the number of troops, according to Gen Kongcheep. He said both should define the scope of national security and see if their definitions match because there are several dimensions of national security, such as food and energy.

"Let's say if we want to build a fence for our house, we have to figure how high it should be to protect us from threats. If we agree on a 1-metre-high fence and somehow it can't deal with the threat, it's our responsibility," he said.

The armed forces are scaling down troop numbers, but many must be maintained, especially along the border. The armed forces are looking for ways to boost voluntary enlistment.

"An important thing is to refrain from devaluing the military and spreading hate. People may not want to enter the service because they are afraid of being scorned. It is a profession that its members are proud of," he said.

A source said some people only see the military in a bad light because of its intervention in politics.

He was asked about growing negative sentiment towards the military, especially on social media.

According to the source, anti-militarism appears to have grown following the 2014 coup led by then-army chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, whose prolonged stay in power is aided by the constitution.

This article is the first of a series of two stories about politics and military conscription.

No fan of 'possible' minority govt

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has denied advocating for the establishment of a minority government following the May 14 election due to strong disapproval from numerous sectors. He maintained that he had not endorsed the idea nor prompted anyone to act on it.

Wissanu stated, "I only provided an explanation when reporters asked me about the matter. When reporters inquired if a minority government is feasible, I said it is viable. If I said otherwise, I would be dishonest. However, under normal circumstances, that should not occur."

"In principle, any party that secures a majority of House seats should have the right to establish a government. However, should a deadlock occur, a minority government remains a possibility."

"Furthermore, even a prime ministerial candidate who is nominated by a party that fails to win a majority must still obtain the most votes of support in parliament in order to be victorious," he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hopes for the next government to be formed by a party that wins a majority of House seats to ensure the smooth running of the country's affairs.

Politicians and academics have voiced strong opposition to any attempts to create a minority government after the May 14 election, cautioning that this could lead to street demonstrations that could result in another coup. Critics believe that such a government would be unstable and could falter in a vote of no-confidence or key financial bills.

These warnings occurred after Wissanu dismissed the chance of a political vacuum or deadlock arising after the election, although he did express concern that the formation of a new government could take longer than usual.

His comments were made as polls indicate that some of the leading parties are drawing closer in popularity. While Wissanu believes that any party winning a majority of House seats would be able to form a new government, he noted that there are some uncertainties that could result in the winning party securing fewer seats and needing to work on creating a coalition government instead.

Conscription blues

The issue of compulsory military service has gained national attention in the lead-up to the May 14 polls, with several parties pledging to end it in favour of voluntary enlistment if elected as the next government.

In Thailand, serving in the armed forces is considered a national duty under the law. Physically fit men at the age of 21 must undergo military service for up to two years.

Party proposals to scrap conscription have struck a chord with many voters who view compulsory military service as a hindrance to pursuing personal interests and career opportunities. They also associate it with poor welfare, labour abuse, and harsh treatment.

The Defence Ministry insists it has heard the call to end conscription and put in place a programme to switch to voluntary enlistment. However, it has only met 30-40% of the quota, and the need for conscription to make up the shortage remains.

Maintaining national defence

According to Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, the military needs about 100,000 new recruits each year to fill various posts. After 10 weeks of basic training, about 30,000 conscripts, or one-third of new recruits, are sent to fill seven border defence units, including those in the South. The rest of the recruits are sent to various units of the three armed forces, the Defence Ministry and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, with roles assigned according to their units, such as those mitigating the threat of drugs and cybercrime or engaging in disaster relief operations.

"When there is a flood or fire near a military unit, these conscripts can be relied on to help people in distress, although it isn't their core mission," Gen Kongcheep said.

He said the number of people volunteering to join the military has gradually increased from about 20% to 35-40% over recent years. During this year's conscription season, a total of 35,617 people, or 38% of the quota, have joined voluntarily. The rest are recruited through the conscription draw.

Responding to claims that there are too many conscripts, the spokesman said only one-fifth or 100,000 out of 500,000 soldiers are drafted each year. Those who do not want to enter service can undergo territorial defence training, known as Ror Dor, for three years to be exempted from the draft.

Former army commander Gen Apirat Kongsompong relaxed some rules and cut back on physical training to encourage students to join Ror Dor training.

Transition to voluntary system

The army offers incentives to attract new volunteers, including job opportunities, said Maj Gen Sirichan Ngathong, deputy spokeswoman for the army. Conscripts who are about to leave the service can apply to continue as non-commissioned officers, while those who apply at an army sergeant school are awarded extra points.

About 4,000 positions in the army are available for conscripts who are about to be discharged. In addition, the army provides vocational training for conscripts who want to leave after fulfilling their military obligations. The army has joined hands with the Department of Skill Development, the Department of Employment, and the private sector to find jobs and boost employment opportunities.

According to Maj Gen Sirichan, people aged 18-22 can also apply to join the military, not just those aged 21, who are legally required to report for duty. Those who sign up can apply online and choose units in their home provinces.

Regarding welfare, the army has improved the living conditions of conscripts, adding that they are considered "the army's youngest brothers".

Abuse scandals

Media reports of assault and abuse have stirred up controversy with the conscription system, according to a source. Although scandals involving hazing or labour abuse are less frequent, when a scandal erupts, it casts the armed forces in a bad light, making military service less attractive, the source said.

Compulsory enlistment is seen as depriving people of their opportunities to pursue their interests or make money to support their families. While conscripts are given salaries and allowances, the amount is not enough, and some complain about their food allowance being embezzled.

The armed forces have implemented measures to address these issues, such as directly transferring money to conscript accounts, creating Line groups for conscripts to stay in contact with their families, and opening barracks for family visits.

Gen Kongcheep insisted there is no such thing as "servants" in the military, but said there are thurakarn conscripts who perform tasks and errands as their official duty and do not run personal errands for officers.

"Thurakarn conscripts are not given jobs like doing laundry or household chores. If this happens, the unit commander will be held accountable," he said.

However, an army source said the practice of assigning one or two conscripts to work at the houses of senior officers remains and their tasks include doing laundry, cooking, and driving. According to the source, some conscripts, after completing basic training, prefer being assigned as aides to officers because they want to avoid more training, with a chance of being given extra allowances or considered for work after being discharged.

"If their bosses are high-ranking officers, they can expect other benefits and support. It is a deep-rooted practice in the military," said the source.

However, this could change due to growing calls for the abolition of conscription and the downsizing of conscription numbers.

Avoid hate speech

Politicians and the armed forces may have to sit down for talks and find a consensus when it comes to downsizing the number of troops, according to Gen Kongcheep. He said both should define the scope of national security and see if their definitions match because there are several dimensions of national security, such as food and energy.

"Let's say if we want to build a fence for our house, we have to figure how high it should be to protect us from threats. If we agree on a 1-metre-high fence and somehow it can't deal with the threat, it's our responsibility," he said.

The armed forces are scaling down troop numbers, but many must be maintained, especially along the border. The armed forces are looking for ways to boost voluntary enlistment.

"An important thing is to refrain from devaluing the military and spreading hate. People may not want to enter the service because they are afraid of being scorned. It is a profession that its members are proud of," he said.

A source said some people only see the military in a bad light because of its intervention in politics.

He was asked about growing negative sentiment towards the military, especially on social media.

According to the source, anti-militarism appears to have grown following the 2014 coup led by then-army chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, whose prolonged stay in power is aided by the constitution.

This article is the first of a series of two stories about politics and military conscription.

Tech firms offer tools ahead of poll

Google has unveiled new tools for Thailand's forthcoming general election, while LINE Thailand encourages politicians to utilise their "Official Accounts" to engage with voters. These initiatives aim to combat misinformation.

Saranee Boonritthongchai, country marketing manager at Google Thailand, stated that the company is aware that Thai citizens require useful and relevant information to aid them in making decisions as the election approaches. To facilitate this, Google recently introduced a Google Trends Thailand General Election webpage, enabling the media and the general public to access search trends related to political campaigns more easily.

Boonritthongchai, 32 years old, said, "We've concentrated our efforts on assisting the 52 million Thais who are predicted to vote and more than 3 million first-time voters in this year's election by ensuring that they are connected to practical and pertinent election-related information online, and guaranteeing that our products deliver unbiased, authoritative, and timely information."

To address misinformation at its origin, the company also educated and involved journalists and newsrooms in publishing reliable and credible news before the election cycle began. Google Ads policies and YouTube's Community Guidelines assist users in understanding digital best practices and responsibilities during elections. Across its platforms, Google has policies covering misinformation about elections, COVID-19, and vaccines.

Mukpim Anantachai, head of YouTube partnerships for Thailand and Vietnam, emphasised that election integrity is a top priority for the firm. It has been dedicated to ensuring the proper policies and systems are in place to support the election process. In addition to connecting individuals with authoritative and high-quality information, YouTube promptly removes content that breaches its standards using machine learning and trained content reviewers. Anantachai, 29 years old, asserted that the aim is to strike a balance between safeguarding the community from harm and fostering a diverse range of perspectives on YouTube.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, content that breached guidelines accounted for 0.09%-0.11% of total views on YouTube. Over 5.6 million videos and 6.4 million channels were taken down due to violations of YouTube's Community Guidelines, with more than 69,000 videos from Thailand among them.

In related news, LINE Thailand advises political parties and candidates to utilise its verified Official Accounts (OA) to communicate with voters. LINE OA messages created by political parties or candidates are categorised under politics. Provided that messages adhere to the Election Commission's laws and regulations, advertising campaigns on Line Ads are also available.

UTN video looks to portray prime minister's 'gentle side'

The United Thai Nation Party (UTN) recently released a video showcasing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's gentler side, presenting him growing up as the son of a strict military official, alongside other personal life stories. The seven-minute video, titled "Talk to the Uncle," has the prime ministerial candidate answering questions from the party's media team in a relaxed setting.

Prayut, who is 57 years old, reveals that his first name was given by his father; it was initially "Pralongyuth," meaning fight or compete, but was later shortened to "Prayut," retaining the same meaning. The video also shows his interest in watching Korean TV series and being a Premier League enthusiast, with Manchester City being his favoured team.

In other political news, Capt Thamanat Prompow, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party's (PPRP) election strategy panel for the North, pledged to resolve land problems and lower energy prices during his campaign in Mae Hong Son province.

He announced that the party would seek to lower diesel prices by 6.30 baht per litre and petrol by 18 baht per litre, as well as decrease electricity prices for residential users to 2.70 baht per unit. For low-income earners, a welfare card scheme providing 700 baht per month and life insurance worth 200,000 baht would be implemented.

Meanwhile, the Prachachart Party criticised the purchase of fictitious GT200 bomb-detectors from 2007-2009, bringing attention to the individuals who authorised the procurement but faced no charges. This comes as the party, led by veteran Wan Muhamad Nor Matha, aims to capture ten seats in the May 14 poll, an increase from their current six.

Lastly, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party, campaigned in the northeastern province of Kalasin, urging voters weary of political divisions to support her party. TST hopes to address long-term issues and implement policies to improve people's lives.

Pheu Thai puts faith in new slogan as polling day looms

The Pheu Thai Party last Friday increased its election campaign efforts, aiming to convince the nation that it can bring immediate change to the country following the May 14 election if trusted to form the new government.

Led by party secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong, 32 years old, the party held a press conference to unveil a refined, final election slogan urging the people to "Choose Pheu Thai, make it a landslide victory, and Thailand will change immediately".

"With polling only nine days away, the party's candidates will intensify their visits to constituents across the country and make sure everyone is well informed about our policies," said Prasert.

Online election campaigning via social media will also be accelerated alongside these door-to-door visits, he added. All three Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidates have changed their social media profile pictures in line with the updated election campaign theme, he mentioned.

"Pheu Thai has dedicated time to researching and creating these 70 policies with a strong determination to free all Thai people from the pain that has existed for over nine years," Prasert said.

The 70 policies are devised to bring about changes to Thailand in seven areas, including investment, digital economy, education and labour, transport, tourism, agriculture, and equality, according to deputy party secretary-general Paopoom Rojanasakul.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai expressed his approval of Srettha Thavisin, one of the party's three prime ministerial candidates, asserting that Srettha has proven himself as a career politician.

The real estate businessman-turned-politician is a source of pride for the party, said Phumtham in a Facebook post.

Srettha reminded him of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who also left his business legacy behind and volunteered to steer Thailand in the right direction, Phumtham stated.

"I strongly believe Srettha will become a good leader who will pioneer change for the betterment of the country and its people," said Phumtham.

In a new Facebook post of his own, Srettha stressed the need for Thailand to continue competing in the global arena, claiming every minute counts in the competition to make the country grow, and Thailand has fallen far behind many other nations during the past eight years.

"Is it time to change the player who has been leading Thailand for the past eight years and put him away?" Srettha asked in the same post.

MFP vows deep-rooted reforms

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is confident that it can address both economic problems and "difficult" political and social issues if it forms the next government, according to Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the party's campaign assistant.

During a campaign rally in the northeast, Thanathorn noted that several parties have put forward proposals focusing only on basic economic issues, which could ultimately be detrimental to the country. In contrast, the MFP, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, plans to tackle challenging political and social issues, as well as economic problems, simultaneously.

Thanathorn emphasised that initiatives such as boosting trade, revamping the education curriculum, investing in new technologies, creating jobs, and reforming the military could all be implemented concurrently. He said, "If Pita becomes the prime minister, the MFP-led government will set out to do these things. The Commerce Ministry will sell produce overseas. The Education Ministry will revise the curriculum to reflect the changing world. The Industry Ministry will create jobs."

He added that the Defence Ministry would focus on reforming the armed forces to prevent any future coups. "These can be implemented simultaneously. This is what we're offering."

Pita shared at a rally in Nonthaburi that the party's election campaign has gained momentum, suggesting it is on track to win the May 14 elections and secure a place in the Government House. He stated that the party is prepared to lead the formation of the next coalition government.

Pita highlighted four policies: transforming Nonthaburi into a hub for craft beer production within 100 days, introducing electric buses with fares between 8-45 baht, increasing daily minimum wages to 450 baht, and using artificial intelligence to combat corruption. "It's just ten days till the election. We've come too far to lose," he said.

Minority govt idea alarms

Politicians and academics have voiced strong opposition to any attempt to form a minority government following the May 14 election, warning that this could ignite street demonstrations and potentially another coup.

The concerns were raised after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam dismissed the possibility of a political vacuum or deadlock arising after the election on Wednesday. Nonetheless, he expressed worry that forming a new government may take longer than usual, given the tight competition between leading parties according to recent polls.

He acknowledged that uncertainties might result in the winning party securing fewer seats, which could lead to the formation of a coalition government. However, the opposition argues that a minority government's formation is highly unlikely.

Deputy Democrat Party leader Ongart Klampaiboon emphasised that parties which fail to secure a majority of House seats must assume the opposition role. He suggested that a minority government's instability could lead to a loss during a vote of no-confidence or key financial bills.

Korn Chatikavanij, the Chartpattanakla Party leader, confirmed his party's refusal to join any minority government requiring senators' support to choose a prime minister. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a key Progressive Movement figure assisting the Move Forward Party's election campaign, also strongly opposed forming a minority government, indicating that it would contradict the voters' mandate.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a lecturer in the Faculty of Political Science at Rangsit University, warned that a minority government would likely face significant resistance from voters, resulting in protests on the streets. Jade Donavanik, dean of the Faculty of Law at Dhurakij Pundit University, highlighted the military's ongoing influence in politics and stressed their support to any minority government. He warned that escalating protests could culminate in another coup if demonstrators do not have the military's support.

Tech firms offer tools ahead of poll

Google has unveiled new tools for Thailand's forthcoming general election, while LINE Thailand encourages politicians to utilise their "Official Accounts" to engage with voters. These initiatives aim to combat misinformation.

Saranee Boonritthongchai, country marketing manager at Google Thailand, stated that the company is aware that Thai citizens require useful and relevant information to aid them in making decisions as the election approaches. To facilitate this, Google recently introduced a Google Trends Thailand General Election webpage, enabling the media and the general public to access search trends related to political campaigns more easily.

Boonritthongchai, 32 years old, said, "We've concentrated our efforts on assisting the 52 million Thais who are predicted to vote and more than 3 million first-time voters in this year's election by ensuring that they are connected to practical and pertinent election-related information online, and guaranteeing that our products deliver unbiased, authoritative, and timely information."

To address misinformation at its origin, the company also educated and involved journalists and newsrooms in publishing reliable and credible news before the election cycle began. Google Ads policies and YouTube's Community Guidelines assist users in understanding digital best practices and responsibilities during elections. Across its platforms, Google has policies covering misinformation about elections, COVID-19, and vaccines.

Mukpim Anantachai, head of YouTube partnerships for Thailand and Vietnam, emphasised that election integrity is a top priority for the firm. It has been dedicated to ensuring the proper policies and systems are in place to support the election process. In addition to connecting individuals with authoritative and high-quality information, YouTube promptly removes content that breaches its standards using machine learning and trained content reviewers. Anantachai, 29 years old, asserted that the aim is to strike a balance between safeguarding the community from harm and fostering a diverse range of perspectives on YouTube.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, content that breached guidelines accounted for 0.09%-0.11% of total views on YouTube. Over 5.6 million videos and 6.4 million channels were taken down due to violations of YouTube's Community Guidelines, with more than 69,000 videos from Thailand among them.

In related news, LINE Thailand advises political parties and candidates to utilise its verified Official Accounts (OA) to communicate with voters. LINE OA messages created by political parties or candidates are categorised under politics. Provided that messages adhere to the Election Commission's laws and regulations, advertising campaigns on Line Ads are also available.

UTN video looks to portray prime minister's 'gentle side'

The United Thai Nation Party (UTN) recently released a video showcasing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's gentler side, presenting him growing up as the son of a strict military official, alongside other personal life stories. The seven-minute video, titled "Talk to the Uncle," has the prime ministerial candidate answering questions from the party's media team in a relaxed setting.

Prayut, who is 57 years old, reveals that his first name was given by his father; it was initially "Pralongyuth," meaning fight or compete, but was later shortened to "Prayut," retaining the same meaning. The video also shows his interest in watching Korean TV series and being a Premier League enthusiast, with Manchester City being his favoured team.

In other political news, Capt Thamanat Prompow, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party's (PPRP) election strategy panel for the North, pledged to resolve land problems and lower energy prices during his campaign in Mae Hong Son province.

He announced that the party would seek to lower diesel prices by 6.30 baht per litre and petrol by 18 baht per litre, as well as decrease electricity prices for residential users to 2.70 baht per unit. For low-income earners, a welfare card scheme providing 700 baht per month and life insurance worth 200,000 baht would be implemented.

Meanwhile, the Prachachart Party criticised the purchase of fictitious GT200 bomb-detectors from 2007-2009, bringing attention to the individuals who authorised the procurement but faced no charges. This comes as the party, led by veteran Wan Muhamad Nor Matha, aims to capture ten seats in the May 14 poll, an increase from their current six.

Lastly, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party, campaigned in the northeastern province of Kalasin, urging voters weary of political divisions to support her party. TST hopes to address long-term issues and implement policies to improve people's lives.

Pheu Thai puts faith in new slogan as polling day looms

The Pheu Thai Party last Friday increased its election campaign efforts, aiming to convince the nation that it can bring immediate change to the country following the May 14 election if trusted to form the new government.

Led by party secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong, 32 years old, the party held a press conference to unveil a refined, final election slogan urging the people to "Choose Pheu Thai, make it a landslide victory, and Thailand will change immediately".

"With polling only nine days away, the party's candidates will intensify their visits to constituents across the country and make sure everyone is well informed about our policies," said Prasert.

Online election campaigning via social media will also be accelerated alongside these door-to-door visits, he added. All three Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidates have changed their social media profile pictures in line with the updated election campaign theme, he mentioned.

"Pheu Thai has dedicated time to researching and creating these 70 policies with a strong determination to free all Thai people from the pain that has existed for over nine years," Prasert said.

The 70 policies are devised to bring about changes to Thailand in seven areas, including investment, digital economy, education and labour, transport, tourism, agriculture, and equality, according to deputy party secretary-general Paopoom Rojanasakul.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai expressed his approval of Srettha Thavisin, one of the party's three prime ministerial candidates, asserting that Srettha has proven himself as a career politician.

The real estate businessman-turned-politician is a source of pride for the party, said Phumtham in a Facebook post.

Srettha reminded him of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who also left his business legacy behind and volunteered to steer Thailand in the right direction, Phumtham stated.

"I strongly believe Srettha will become a good leader who will pioneer change for the betterment of the country and its people," said Phumtham.

In a new Facebook post of his own, Srettha stressed the need for Thailand to continue competing in the global arena, claiming every minute counts in the competition to make the country grow, and Thailand has fallen far behind many other nations during the past eight years.

"Is it time to change the player who has been leading Thailand for the past eight years and put him away?" Srettha asked in the same post.

MFP vows deep-rooted reforms

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is confident that it can address both economic problems and "difficult" political and social issues if it forms the next government, according to Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the party's campaign assistant.

During a campaign rally in the northeast, Thanathorn noted that several parties have put forward proposals focusing only on basic economic issues, which could ultimately be detrimental to the country. In contrast, the MFP, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, plans to tackle challenging political and social issues, as well as economic problems, simultaneously.

Thanathorn emphasised that initiatives such as boosting trade, revamping the education curriculum, investing in new technologies, creating jobs, and reforming the military could all be implemented concurrently. He said, "If Pita becomes the prime minister, the MFP-led government will set out to do these things. The Commerce Ministry will sell produce overseas. The Education Ministry will revise the curriculum to reflect the changing world. The Industry Ministry will create jobs."

He added that the Defence Ministry would focus on reforming the armed forces to prevent any future coups. "These can be implemented simultaneously. This is what we're offering."

Pita shared at a rally in Nonthaburi that the party's election campaign has gained momentum, suggesting it is on track to win the May 14 elections and secure a place in the Government House. He stated that the party is prepared to lead the formation of the next coalition government.

Pita highlighted four policies: transforming Nonthaburi into a hub for craft beer production within 100 days, introducing electric buses with fares between 8-45 baht, increasing daily minimum wages to 450 baht, and using artificial intelligence to combat corruption. "It's just ten days till the election. We've come too far to lose," he said.

Minority govt idea alarms

Politicians and academics have voiced strong opposition to any attempt to form a minority government following the May 14 election, warning that this could ignite street demonstrations and potentially another coup.

The concerns were raised after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam dismissed the possibility of a political vacuum or deadlock arising after the election on Wednesday. Nonetheless, he expressed worry that forming a new government may take longer than usual, given the tight competition between leading parties according to recent polls.

He acknowledged that uncertainties might result in the winning party securing fewer seats, which could lead to the formation of a coalition government. However, the opposition argues that a minority government's formation is highly unlikely.

Deputy Democrat Party leader Ongart Klampaiboon emphasised that parties which fail to secure a majority of House seats must assume the opposition role. He suggested that a minority government's instability could lead to a loss during a vote of no-confidence or key financial bills.

Korn Chatikavanij, the Chartpattanakla Party leader, confirmed his party's refusal to join any minority government requiring senators' support to choose a prime minister. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a key Progressive Movement figure assisting the Move Forward Party's election campaign, also strongly opposed forming a minority government, indicating that it would contradict the voters' mandate.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a lecturer in the Faculty of Political Science at Rangsit University, warned that a minority government would likely face significant resistance from voters, resulting in protests on the streets. Jade Donavanik, dean of the Faculty of Law at Dhurakij Pundit University, highlighted the military's ongoing influence in politics and stressed their support to any minority government. He warned that escalating protests could culminate in another coup if demonstrators do not have the military's support.

EC asks Srisuwan for more details on Pheu Thai petition

The Election Commission has requested additional information from activist lawyer Srisuwan Janya to support the complaint submitted concerning the Pheu Thai Party's policy of a 10,000-baht digital handout for everyone aged 16 and over.

Srisuwan revealed on Friday that he had received a letter from the Election Commission, instructing him to provide more information by May 11.

He requested that the Election Commission investigate whether the digital wallet policy violates Section 73 of the election law, which forbids poll candidates or other individuals from promising to give voters assets, money, or benefits. In addition, it prohibits providing misleading information on policies.

The digital wallet scheme might also infringe on other laws, including the currency law, the state fiscal and financial discipline law, and the emergency decree on digital asset businesses.

Pheu Thai, anticipated to win the most seats in the May 14 election, has vowed that every Thai over 16 will receive a new bank savings account and a digital wallet connected to their ID.

The policy aims to stimulate spending in communities during its first six months using blockchain technology to ensure money is spent within a four-kilometre radius of a person's residence, promoting local economic activity.

Srettha Thavisin, a business executive and Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, stated the scheme would cost 560 billion baht, fully accounted for, and would help unleash an "economic tsunami" that would include 160 billion baht in additional tax revenue.

Srisuwan contends that although Pheu Thai has already submitted the required policy details, including its cost and the source of funds, certain questions remain.

He questioned if some state projects, such as a welfare scheme for low-income earners or monthly allowances for the elderly, would be axed to reallocate funds.

He also asked whether the digital wallet's cost would impact the implementation of other policies proposed by Pheu Thai. The party has outlined 70 policies it intends to implement over four years, with an estimated total cost of 3 trillion baht, he noted.

According to Srisuwan, the Election Commission must examine the policy and determine if it is feasible and if Pheu Thai has purposely omitted crucial information.

EC explains why it needs 5m ‘extra’ ballots

The Election Commission (EC) provided clarification last week on the reason for needing nearly five million additional ballots, explaining that the ballots are typically distributed in bound sets of 20, which increases the overall quantity required.

Extra ballots are to be kept as reserves at all 100,000 polling stations across the nation, said EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee in a Facebook post.

A total of 52.23 million individuals are eligible to vote on May 14, with 57.2 million ballots printed in 2.86 million bound sets containing 20 ballots each.

"The number of printed ballots treated as spare ballots is therefore 4.96 million," Sawaeng said.

"One collection of 20 ballots is to be distributed to each of the 100,000 polling stations, meaning that two million out of the 4.96 million extra ballots are to be kept for this purpose."

Another set of 20 ballots will be distributed to each of the 100,000 polling stations specifically for members of the station committee, whose numbers commonly range from nine to 15, depending on the quantity of registered voters at a particular station.

"Another 900,000 or so will be utilised for the two above-mentioned reasons in advance voting both within the country and overseas, while the rest of the spare ballots will be kept for use in emergency situations, such as for the 94 Thai voters who might not be able to complete their advance voting in Sudan in case of a riot," he added.

"Spare ballots will possibly be used by these voters when they return to Thailand and vote on May 14 instead."

Election Day storms in the wind

Two storms are predicted to impact Thailand next week, which may interfere with Election Day on May 14, as stated by the Climate Change and Disaster Centre at Rangsit University.

Cyclone Mocha is currently resulting in heavy rainfall in the Bay of Bengal, while another tropical depression is developing in the South China Sea near the Philippines, according to the centre's director, Seri Suparatit.

The two storms are expected to influence Thailand beginning on May 9. However, heat and a low-pressure trough will initiate thunderstorms on May 8 in the central, eastern, northeastern, and northern regions, as mentioned in a Facebook post on Friday.

Suparatit mentioned that there is a 30% probability of thunderstorms, particularly in the South, on Election Day, May 14.

Heavy rainfall on Election Day may damage ballot papers, candidate information, polling booths, and ballot boxes, as well as cause traffic delays.

"We still have a week; I would suggest the Election Commission organise indoor locations to prevent inconvenience on Election Day," he wrote.

On the other hand, he noted that a week of rainfall at the beginning of the rainy season would help alleviate drought concerns among farmers.

Suparatit also recommended that provincial administrative organisations across the country accelerate the construction of water retention areas and examine dams and channels for storing rainfall for later use after the rainy season concludes.

EC petitioned over WhatsApp chat

Political activist Srisuwan Janya filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) after Senator Somchai Swangkarn shared screenshots of a WhatsApp chat thought to include fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The screenshots posted on Swangkarn's Facebook page seemingly revealed a conversation in which someone sought advice from the former PM about a strategy for the Pheu Thai Party to win the upcoming election. Although the user's name appeared to be Thaksin Shinawatra, many believe the chat is fabricated.

Srisuwan, however, claimed that the chat provided proof of a breach of the amended Election Act for constituency and party-list MPs. He asserted that only the EC can investigate and establish the legality of the chat. "This is my eighth time reporting suspicious acts from this person, but my requests were dismissed by the EC," Srisuwan stated. "I have emphasised that it was all connected. There is a mastermind behind the party."

Phumtham Wechayachai, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, mentioned on Wednesday that he had seen the screenshots and confirmed that it had nothing to do with his party. "Whoever is involved, let justice be done," he declared.

In the meantime, Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, one of Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidates, insisted on Wednesday that a recent tweet by her father, Thaksin, would not impact the party's campaign or its popularity. Thaksin had written on social media that, with his seventh and youngest grandchild having been born, he plans to return soon, as at 73 years old, he wants to be able to take care of his grandchildren.

Paetongtarn made her remarks after giving a statement about her newborn son, Prutthasin "Thasin" Sooksawas, at Praram Hospital. "I admit it's difficult to distinguish these things as Thaksin founded the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party. Thaksin's only wish is to return home to raise his grandson, and he never said he wanted to become the prime minister again," she clarified on Wednesday.

She urged people to understand how it would feel to be someone who has lived abroad in self-exile for 17 years. "I'm happy that my father [Thaksin] said something like that -- to have hope of returning home, and staying healthy so he can see his grandson," she stated.

"Although every speech has an effect on politics, our family doesn't look at it that way. I have not talked to my father about when he will return, as he has his own plans. We've only talked about his grandson.''

In response to questions about when she would resume canvassing, Paetongtarn revealed that she intends to be on the Pheu Thai campaign stage at Muang Thong Thani's Impact Arena soon.

BJT wants Pheu Thai dissolved

The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) has authorised its candidates to file a complaint with the poll watchdog against Srettha Thavisin.

Srettha, who is a prime ministerial candidate and executive board member of the Pheu Thai Party, discredited the BJT, in violation of election laws, the party claims. It has urged members to complain to the Election Commission (EC).

If the EC finds against him, it could impose the maximum penalty of urging Pheu Thai to be dissolved.

Supachai Jaisamut, registrar of the BJT party, said at least ten of its candidates will file a petition with the EC in their respective provinces. The petition asks the commission to investigate Srettha and the executive board. It alleges Srettha's remarks at a recent campaign rally were misleading.

He said Srettha, during election campaigns, told audiences that BJT had a policy for complete and total liberalisation of cannabis, which has led to misuse of the drug among adolescents. "This is false," Supachai said.

Pheu Thai Party member Srettha Thavisin takes part in a pre-election campaign near Rama VIII bridge in Bangkok on April 24, 2023. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Supachai argues the Public Health Ministry, under the direction of BJT, has issued regulations to prevent improper use of cannabis, including bans on public consumption and use by children.

Supachai also said Srettha falsely claimed that voting for BJT would result in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha becoming prime minister again. That's untrue, as Anutin Charnvirakul, BJT's party leader, has consistently said he wants to be prime minister.

"We have never criticised another party, especially those that have not identified proper funding for their policies that could result in significant financial burdens for the country," he said. "Srettha is not mature enough for politics."

Asked what this would mean for a possible BJT-Pheu Thai coalition, he said Srettha is just an opportunist vying for the role of prime minister.

"If Srettha fails, he will just go back to selling houses."

New documentary showcases Paetongtarn's political career

Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate, revealed that a documentary film about her political journey will be available for viewing on social media platforms today.

A poster for 'The Candidate Paetongtarn', which narrates the journey of Paetongtarn 'Ung Ing' Shinawatra, one of Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidates, was unveiled ahead of the film's release today. The film can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook.

Paetongtarn introduced the film The Candidate Paetongtarn to the media on Wednesday at 4.50pm. The documentary is a special project by Pheu Thai that showcases Paetongtarn's journey in politics since October 28, 2021, and her transition from her father's legacy, the ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The film features interviews with Paetongtarn, key Pheu Thai figures such as party chief Dr Cholnan Srikaew, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Nattawut Saikua, as well as her colleagues in the business sector. The film will be broadcasted on Paetongtarn's Facebook and YouTube accounts (youtube.com/@ingshinawatra) today at 7pm.

Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, on Thursday urged voters who plan to support political parties in a democratic camp not to forget to back his party on election day.

"Don't forget the Seri Ruam Thai Party. The House and the government need a man named Sereepisuth, or else who would deal with the corrupt people?" he said during an election rally in Trat province on Thursday.

Sereepisuth claimed that no one else dares to fight against drugs like he does or has reformed the police like he has done. He believes that he could do more if elected to the House and included in a new government.

Apart from voters who plan to vote for the Pheu Thai Party to help it achieve its landslide victory goal, Sereepisuth also called on so-called silent voters, in particular, to support his party. He questioned who will lead a movement pushing to reform independent organisations, particularly the Election Commission, if his party does not win the election.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's popularity among voters in the southern region has surged significantly, according to Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, chief strategist for United Thai Nation's (UTN) southern constituencies.

After a party campaign in the southern provinces, led by Prayut, Thanakorn reported that the support for the prime minister is overwhelming. He also expressed confidence in a significant victory for the party in the region.

Thanakorn urged voters nationwide to support the party, emphasising that without their votes, what Prayut has achieved over the past eight years could be jeopardised. Prayut seeks another term as prime minister under the party's banner.

Thanakorn insisted that opinion poll results do not directly correlate to an election outcome after many indicated that Prayut and the UTN are stuck in third or fourth place. He mentioned that the party is gearing up to release another set of election campaign messages to engage voters in the lead-up to the May 14 polls.

Overseas voting almost done

Over 80% of eligible Thais living abroad have reportedly cast their votes ahead of the May 14 general election, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has revealed. Kanchana Patarachoke, director-general of the MFA's Department of Information, stated that 115,139 individuals registered for advance voting overseas from March 25 to April 9. This number compares to 119,313 who registered ahead of the previous election in 2019.

The majority of Thais who registered were reported to be in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany. Each embassy and consulate determined how to conduct the votes in their respective country or region, such as having on-site polling booths or allowing votes to be mailed by post, based on local conditions.

During the advance voting period from April 28 to April 30, bags of ballots were sent to Thailand by embassies and consulates in various countries, including the United States, Laos, China, Nepal, the Czech Republic, Nigeria, Kuwait, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, Vietnam, Bahrain, and Egypt.

As of Wednesday, over 80% of eligible Thais living abroad had exercised their right to vote at almost all of the election sites, according to Kanchana. All of the ballots will be counted in Thailand, and to ensure they arrive in the country on time, an Open Vehicle Monitoring System (OVMS) will track them. Transfer procedures are also being conducted via a real-time checklist.

However, embassies and consulates in some countries without direct flights to Thailand will transfer their bags of ballots independently or send them to airports where direct flights to the kingdom are running. Kanchana stated that government agencies had notified Thais who are voting by mail that they can send their ballots to embassies or consulates themselves to ensure they all reach Thailand as scheduled.

She added that mailing votes could be problematic due to delays in certain countries' postal systems or because the senders did not write the destination address clearly enough.

Online voting registration heralded

Eligible citizens in Thailand now have the option to register for online voting in the upcoming general election, marking a significant step towards e-government in the country. The Election Commission has initiated internet voting for those who cannot vote in person on May 14, the first time such an action has been taken.

From March 25 to April 9, 2,350,969 individuals nationwide signed up for early voting registration, with advance voting scheduled for May 7.

Estonia, a small European country with a population of 1.3 million, was the first nation to implement an internet voting system in 2005. The system has gained immense popularity, with an increasing number of people using it to vote. In March, Estonia held parliamentary elections and recorded a remarkable 51% of eligible voters using i-voting.

Carmen Raal, a digital transformation advisor at the e-Estonia briefing centre, revealed to visiting Thai media in April that the remaining 49% of eligible voters chose to cast their ballots at polling booths for specific reasons.

Eligible Estonian voters must download the i-voting application form, following which they insert their ID card into a reader to verify their voting and district eligibility. Once they can see the list of candidates, they make their selection. The chosen candidate will then be displayed, and upon clicking "vote", a window requiring the voter's Pin-2 code pops up, allowing them to seal their vote with a digital signature.

According to Raal, this process offers more convenience for voters, particularly those living in rural areas or overseas. It can also lower operating costs while improving transparency and preventing election fraud. Estonia has managed to develop an e-government infrastructure that has enhanced state transparency and brought e-governance to the nation.

Almost 99% of Estonia's government services are provided through online channels, known as e-Estonia. The country delivers more than 3,000 e-services, including filing taxes, banking, signing documents, voting, and acquiring prescriptions online. All that is required for these transactions is an ID card.

Raal stated that this online initiative offers more convenience, time-saving and cost benefits, as well as enhanced security. However, marriage and divorce registrations remain offline due to the sensitive nature of such matters. Couples must complete either marriage or divorce licences in person.

NACC will release some watch files

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has agreed to reveal only two out of three sets of documents related to its investigation into Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon's luxury wristwatch controversy to activist Veera Somkwamkid, as ordered by the Supreme Administrative Court.

In an order issued on April 21, the court instructed the commission to release the case details to Veera, leader of the Anti-Corruption People's Network, who initiated the petition, within 15 days.

The NACC stated that it had examined the court order and unanimously decided to disclose only two sets of documents, as the investigation contained accounts of several individuals in the case, which were confidential.

The documents that will not be disclosed involve the opinions of NACC officials involved in the investigation, and Veera can contact the NACC to receive a copy of the documents from May 8, according to the NACC.

Previously, the commission suggested it might need the Constitutional Court's opinion on the extent to which it could disclose details.

Simultaneously, Veera threatened to impeach the commission if they disregarded the court order.

Veera filed a petition with the Central Administrative Court demanding disclosure of the investigation following the NACC's dismissal of the case in December 2018.

The commission ruled 5:3 that there were no grounds for the accusation that Prawit falsely declared his wealth when he did not include 22 luxury watches and rings in his list of assets.

The luxury watch investigation began when Prawit was seen wearing a platinum Richard Mille RM 029, valued at about 2.5 million baht, and a diamond ring at a Government House event on December 4, 2017.

These items and other watches, which came to light later, were omitted from Prawit's assets declaration to the NACC.

Prawit claimed the luxury watches belonged to friends and were all returned.

In December 2018, the NACC found no grounds for claims that Prawit had falsely declared his wealth when he did not include the 22 luxury watches and rings in his list of assets.

Veera later petitioned the Supreme Administrative Court requesting the disclosure order, which was subsequently granted.

Populist plans slammed

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has expressed significant concerns over the possibility of corruption cases arising from political parties pushing unrealistic populist policies in an effort to win the upcoming election.

In an article titled "How much have we lost to policy corruption?" published on its website recently, the NACC analysed the state budget required to fund the campaign promises of each political party.

The anti-corruption body stated its commitment to alerting all voters, particularly grassroots voters, to question whether populist policies promised by their chosen political party can truly be implemented without negatively impacting the country's budgetary security.

The Pheu Thai Party has proposed up to 70 policies, stating that it would need more than three trillion baht to fund them, according to the NACC, which also noted that the three most expensive policies will require 1.36 trillion baht in funding.

The Move Forward Party has proposed 52 policies, requiring a total of 1.28 trillion baht for implementation, the NACC said.

The Palang Pracharath Party has presented 14 policies, requiring approximately one trillion baht in funding when implemented, while the Democrat Party has proposed 11 policies, needing 685.4 billion baht, the NACC reported.

Additionally, the United Thai Nation Party has proposed 11 policies, requiring 250 billion baht in funding.

Under Section 57 of the 2017 organic law on political parties, every political party must submit the details of their proposed policies, including budgetary requirements, to the Election Commission (EC) for inspection to determine policy worthiness, consequences, and risks.

The EC will judge these policies while deciding whether or not they are aimed at misleading voters to boost party or candidate popularity, an offence that could lead to a party's dissolution.

Upon analysing party policy reports submitted to the EC, the NACC found that several parties failed to provide clear enough details on how their proposed policies could be implemented in the future, only mentioning goals and budget requirements.

Some parties even attempted to present required budgets smaller than what is actually necessary, claiming that the rest of the funding would come from sources outside the annual national budget.

The budget for the 2024 fiscal year, starting in October, has already been prepared and is only about 200 billion baht, according to the NACC. This amount falls far short of the funding stated as required by each party.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science at Rangsit University, criticised the NACC for publishing the article ahead of the May 14 election. He said that the NACC is responsible for investigating suspected corruption and trying to prevent it from happening, not for criticising political parties over their budget plans.

Deputy Pheu Thai Party leader Sutin Klungsang said the party carefully studied its policies before presenting them to the public. In his opinion, the amount required to stimulate the economy should not be the sole factor in evaluating such policies. Although these policies may require substantial funding, Pheu Thai has already determined how its policies will yield economic value.

Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the NACC, said the agency does not intend to discredit political parties with the article but wants to ask the EC to scrutinise money policies introduced by political parties to determine if they lack financial discipline and would lead the country into a financial crisis. He emphasised that the action was not intended to harm political parties, but to serve as a warning to the public to carefully consider policies that may pose financial risks and burden the country in the future.

MFP revises election targets as poll nears

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is aiming to secure 160 House seats in the upcoming election next week, as it strives to become a central party in a coalition government and put forth its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, as the next prime minister.

MFP Secretary-General, Chaithawat Tulathon, announced on Thursday that the party anticipates winning a minimum of 125 seats in various constituencies throughout the country, while the remaining seats will be acquired through party-list calculations.

This new target correlates with the most recent pre-election survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), which discovered that support for the MFP had increased to 35.36% in the party-list system, up from 21.85% the previous month. Within the constituency system, its approval rating saw an increase to 33.96% from 21.20%, according to the survey.

During a campaign rally held in Bangkok's Samyan Mitrtown not long ago, party leaders expressed the view that if the party maintains its popularity until election day, there is a solid chance of obtaining more than 100 seats.

Chaithawat expressed his belief that the existing opposition bloc would triumph in the May 14 polls.

"There's no need to worry about the MFP and the Pheu Thai Party undermining each other. Based on several surveys, the government is unlikely to achieve 180 seats, whereas Pheu Thai and the MFP will collectively secure roughly 300 seats. This will deter any opportunists," he stated.

When questioned if the MFP would abandon its stance on the lese majeste law, Chaithawat responded that this topic is currently under review in the House, resulting in no need for the party to include the issue as a condition for joining the coalition.

However, Chaithawat revealed that the party plans to request its partners to sign an agreement addressing specific issues, such as a public referendum on constitution amendments, the abolition of mandatory military service, and the decentralisation of power.

Chaithawat mentioned that the party's election caravans across the four regions have commenced operations and will assemble in Bangkok for the ultimate election rally on May 12.

Pita clarified on Thursday that the MFP's position on the lese majeste law is focused on seeking its amendment, rather than its complete abolishment.

PPRP vows to stimulate economic growth

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) recently pledged to boost the country's economic growth through various initiatives, such as injecting funds into an old village programme, reducing energy costs, and establishing a national energy resources organisation to handle natural gas and oil concessions.

Prawit Wongsuwon, serving as PPRP leader, led the party's economic team in summarising the party's core economic stimulus plans and emphasising their readiness to further stimulate the economy if they return as the new government. Wongsuwon also stressed the significance of national unity and peace, stating that this would enable the new government to concentrate solely on enhancing the nation's economy, which would benefit all residents.

Wongsuwon said, "If we can overcome political conflicts, I strongly believe the more than 60 million Thais will together be able to overcome poverty as well." Reviving the economy is one of the PPRP's seven core policies.

Uttama Savanayana, a PPRP member, stated that boosting the economy is the party's top priority, and their economic stimulus packages range from decreasing living costs through lower energy prices to addressing household debts. Concerning the grassroots economy, the PPRP aims to inject 200,000 baht into each village through the village fund, a project designed to strengthen community economies across the nation.

Savanayana said the village fund scheme would require around 100 billion baht in total funding. The same plan intends to subsidise fertiliser prices, reducing them by roughly 50%, and provide funding of 30,000 baht each to approximately 8 million farming families to grow crops.

Mingkwan Sangsuwan, another key figure in the PPRP's economic team, emphasised the importance of reducing living costs by immediately lowering energy prices, cutting petrol prices by 18 baht per litre and diesel by 6.30 baht per litre. The household electricity rate will become 2.50 baht per unit, while the industrial sector will pay 2.70 baht per unit.

Deputy Finance Minister and PPRP secretary-general Santi Promphat promised a new project to construct a medium-speed rail link between Bueng Kan and the East, the site of the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme. Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, another core member of the party's economic team, said funding sources for all economic stimulus projects would include government budgets diverted from less important programmes and increased revenues expected from tax reform.

Parties pitch policies for tourism

Political parties are making efforts to enhance Thailand's competitiveness in tourism by proposing various policies. These include the creation of a tourism fund, developing secondary cities, adjusting regulations, and addressing labour crises to accommodate quality tourists and support local operators.

The tourism sector is anticipating a significant recovery with over 8 million foreign tourists expected to visit Thailand in the first four months of this year. However, tourism operators are still seeking more proactive policies that attract quality tourists and alleviate obstacles and cost burdens during the most critical period of recovery.

The Bhumjaithai Party, which supervised the Tourism and Sports Ministry during the four-year term ending in March, is considering ambitious plans to attract 80 million international tourists per year by 2027, generating six trillion baht. Similarly, the Pheu Thai Party aims to make Thailand a regional transportation hub, targeting 120 million passengers per year through the country's international airports. The party also wants to improve airport facilitation by reducing long queues and eliminating tourism scams such as overpriced taxis.

The Chartthaipattana Party, which has held the Tourism Ministry for many terms, is looking to win votes from those involved in the tourism sector by offering a special fund for the private sector during crises and collaborating with the Ministry of Labour to reduce labour shortages in the industry. The concept of providing more secure financial accessibility is akin to Pheu Thai's policy proposal of establishing a tourism bank, offering flexible loan conditions and an interest waiver scheme for tourism operators.

Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said political parties should avoid proposing unrealistic policies focusing solely on tourist volume, emphasizing the need to address issues hindering improvements in tourism supply chains. Such concerns include improving slow immigration at airports, upskilling the workforce, and amending laws to alleviate pain points for businesses, such as regulations related to foreign workers or the outdated Hotel Act.

To support operators capable of promoting Thailand's soft power, the Move Forward Party aims to upgrade the creative economy by subsidising award-winning filmmakers. The party has also pledged to allocate more budget to provincial and sub-district levels to devise their development plans, including public spaces, tourism zones or local transportation, and the establishment of EV public bus services in every province.

Pheu Thai proposes developing one new landmark per district nationwide, while the Chart Pattana Kla Party seeks to create a 20-year provincial roadmap allowing each province to design its tourism plan.

The Thai Sang Thai Party promises to create a travel corridor that links accessible transportation from secondary cities to major cities and launch an online platform featuring travel information in various categories, such as a food hub for every province.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), said a clear roadmap developing secondary cities is essential for Thailand to attract a higher number of tourists. These cities should receive a budget to upgrade accommodation quantity and quality, develop public transport and new attractions.

Moreover, tourism funds prepared for operators should not encounter obstacles in terms of accessibility, as is currently the case.

The Move Forward Party intends to adjust accommodation acts to enable all types of accommodation to be listed in the system, such as homestays accommodating no more than 20 tourists with the owners residing in the same property, or hotels housing at least 40 tourists.

Thai Sang Thai aims to suspend over 400 acts seen as barriers to doing business, such as cancelling the prohibition of alcohol sales in the afternoon and reducing the foreign worker wage ceiling to attract more workers to the industry.

To address labour shortages, Thai Sang Thai aims to reduce the duration of tourism education programmes from four to three years and place graduates in the tourism industry.

Move Forward will provide coupons worth 2,000 baht to workers who take training courses instead of relying solely on business operators to take the initiative.

Bhumjaithai is committed to creating 10 million jobs in the tourism industry by offering free upskilling and reskilling training programmes.

Sisdivachr emphasised that the new government should urgently address labour shortages in every part of the tourism industry and take action against scams involving tourists.