Thai politics 2023 in review: Challenges and changes

[webfact]

 

The landscape of Thai politics in 2023 was filled with suspense, surprises, and setbacks. The Move Forward Party, despite winning the most seats in the May election, couldn’t form a government.

 

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, a significant figure in the country’s political sphere, decided to retire. A potential reconciliation between the red and yellow shirts was on the horizon. Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, had a prolonged stay in hospital outside prison. And lastly, the Democrat Party continued its downward trend.

 

The unfortunate fate of the Move Forward Party


Photo courtesy of Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

Move Forward Party (MFP) experienced a déjà vu of Pheu Thai’s previous election. Despite gaining 151 seats in the May general election, their attempts to form a coalition with pro-democracy parties proved unfruitful. The party’s then-leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was unable to garner enough votes from the Senate to become the prime minister. Many senators cited his media-shareholding court case as the reason for their decision. As a result, the party now sits in opposition with its new leader, Chaithawat Tulathon.

The MFP has been criticised for not keeping the government in check. Rumours suggest they are looking for a chance to reunite with Pheu Thai and get back into the government. The Constitutional Court will deliver its verdict on Pita’s media shareholding case on January 24.

Gen Prayut’s exit

 

Photo courtesy of Wat Pho (Facebook)

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha decided to step down as prime minister after nine years following the electoral defeat of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. However, he was appointed as the latest privy councillor after his resignation. Despite harbouring ambitions to return as prime minister, poor poll performances by both parties ruined his chances. On July 11, Gen Prayut announced his retirement from Thai politics, marking the end of the Three Por triumvirate, a group that dominated the government for the previous nine years.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-29

 

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[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The landscape of Thai politics in 2023 was filled with suspense, surprises, and setbacks

Business as usual.

[bradiston]

"Many senators cited his media-shareholding court case as the reason for their decision." Oh no they didn't. It was 112 that unstuck him. They were just too sxxx scared. Even went further, as we all know. Accused him of trying to overthrow the whole damn caboodle. Hysterical nonsense.

[Bobydog]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The landscape of Thai politics in 2023 was filled with suspense, surprises, and setbacks. The Move Forward Party, despite winning the most seats in the May election, couldn’t form a government.

It would be more correct to say, " The Move Forward party were denied the oportunity to form a Government by the sculdugery carried on behind the sceens by the peoples that were going to loose access to their Cherry Baht tree.

[Boedog]

The landscape of thai politics had suspense, surprises and setbacks, what they actually meant was lies, corruption and deception which is practiced regularly to benefit those with there snouts in the brown envelope corruption trough to fill there pockets and do nothing for the benefit of the Thai people or the country, welcome to Thailand 

[mark131v]

Corruption, hypocrisy, nepotism and apathy apparently the founding principles of democracy Thai style!

 

Unless you are willing to risk it all you get what you deserve and unfortunately Thailand has the government it deserves, shame really...

[mark131v]

Thaksin could have made a difference and assisted MFP into power iaw the peoples wishes but it would have required him to put his country first. He decided not to do that....

[zzaa09]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Business as usual.

Exactly. What changes? Disguised changes? 

Things are never what they appear to be.

[zzaa09]

19 minutes ago, mark131v said:

Corruption, hypocrisy, nepotism and apathy apparently the founding principles of democracy Thai style!

 

Historically, principally practiced worldwide to the present day.

Thailand certainly doesn't have the market cornered. 

[mark131v]

4 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

Historically, principally practiced worldwide to the present day.

Thailand certainly doesn't have the market cornered. 

 

This is a topic about Thai politics?

 

With the wishes of the populace being totally ignored by the establishment I think that Thailand does indeed have a place on the top table

 

With regard to corruption, hypocrisy, nepotism and apathy they are world leaders. The actions of the establishment shout this from the hilltops and the peoples silence is deafening, as I said you get what you deserve...

[kiwikeith]

2 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Historically, principally practiced worldwide to the present day.

Thailand certainly doesn't have the market cornered. 

Sadly it's the same world wide. 

[bristolgeoff]

We will try to be better in 24 honest,but really just like  the last decade no change.We like the story in the press thou

[nobodysfriend]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Rumours suggest they are looking for a chance to reunite with Pheu Thai and get back into the government.

 

I hope they won't .

Prepare for the next election , eliminate all weak spots in MFP , and do not return on your promises , the MFP will win again , hopefully .

Never align with your enemies . You will lose all credibility .

[Eric Loh]

Most will be content with the peace and quiet after 2 decades of hostile colour confrontation and seizure of democratically elected governments by the military twice. Thailand will have a chance to rebuild the economy next 4 years and a stable political environment. Thailand need a robust challenge in parliament by the oppositions. Golden opportunity for Thailand with the luxury of next 4 years uninterrupted governance in a challenging global environment.
 

[MangoKorat]

On 12/29/2023 at 2:22 AM, webfact said:

The Move Forward Party, despite winning the most seats in the May election, couldn’t form a government.

Wouldn't 'despite winning the most seats in the May election, weren't allowed to form a government' be closer to the truth?