Thai conservatives not done yet

Move Forward Party was the surprise winner of Thailand’s May 14 election, moving quickly to a coalition with Pheu Thai, the other main pro-democracy, anti-military party. Thai politics expert Punchada Sirivunnabood explains why Move Forward faces high hurdles to forming a government, let alone realising its policies. Problems begin with the Senate opposed to lese majeste law reform, abolishing conscription, rewriting the constitution, allowing same-sex marriage. Then there’s the army ...

 

Punchada Sirivunnabood is an associate professor at Mahidol University in Thailand who researches and publishes on political parties, elections and politics in Southeast Asia. She has consulted to Thai parliamentary committees and is a visiting fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore