Asset Publisher

KAS

Country Reports

Parliamentary Elections in Thailand

by Dr. Céline-Agathe Caro, Sarita Piyawongrungruang

Initial Situation and Possible Scenarios

The next general election in Thailand will be held on May 14, 2023. One day after the dissolution of the House of Representatives on March 20, the Election Commission officially announced the new date for the ballot.

Asset Publisher

Already since the end of December 2022, the election campaign and the struggle for party members and candidates has been in full swing in all parties. The stakes are high, as the new 500 MPs will subsequently elect the prime minister along with the 250 appointed senators. Which party will ultimately lead the government is still completely open. The largest opposition party, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), will in all likelihood win the most seats in the lower house of parliament. However, the conservative and military-dominated camp of the previous ruling coalition could still hold on to power. In this unpredictable context, many Thais are wondering whether former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could soon return to Thailand if the PTP wins, or whether a new military coup is more likely. In any case, it is certain that Thai society is very divided politically and socially and that the most exciting part of these elections will take place after May 14.

 

The full-length publication is only available in German.

Asset Publisher

Contact

Dr. Céline-Agathe Caro

Dr

Head of the KAS office in Thailand

Celine.Caro@kas.de +66 (0) 2 714 1207 +66 2 714 13 07

comment-portlet

Asset Publisher

About this series

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.