Bangkok (EFE).- This Sunday, approximately 53 million Thai citizens will head to the polls to participate in general elections, where the People’s Party (PP) and the conservative Bhumjaithai (BJT) are the main favourites. Additionally, voters will also express their views in a referendum on the possibility of amending the current constitution, which was established by the military junta that ruled from 2014 to 2019. The country is facing a tightly contested election in which, according to polls, the reformist coalition leads in preferences, followed by the conservative party. However, neither is expected to secure an absolute majority, forcing them to seek allies to govern. Polling stations opened at 08:00 (01:00 GMT) and will close at 17:00 (10:00 GMT) for the election of the 500 members of the House of Representatives. The first results are expected to be announced later tonight. At a voting location, numerous people were waiting in line to cast their three ballots (district, party, and referendum). The process was running smoothly, suggesting high participation akin to that of the 2023 elections. “Change is necessary,” said Sarocha, 28, in an interview with EFE. Like other voters, she indicated that she has voted for the PP. Meanwhile, Apichart, a 52-year-old official, opted for the conservative platform. The interim Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who is the leader of Bhumjaithai, called for early elections after a period of instability where the country had three leaders since the May 2023 elections. In those elections, where participation exceeded 70%, the reformist platform won unexpectedly. However, it failed to form a government due to a veto from the previous Senate, which had been appointed by the military regime and held temporary authority to participate in the selection of the Prime Minister. However, the dynamics in Thai politics have evolved since the election of the current Upper House in June 2024, through an indirect process that no longer intervenes in the selection of the next leader, potentially paving the way for the reformists to ascend to power. The PP, which leads in voting intention polls, has softened its rhetoric on several points to appeal to its electorate to avoid the fate of its predecessor, Move Forward, which was dissolved in 2024 by order of the Constitutional Court due to its intent to amend the law that protects the monarchy from any criticism. The BJT is trying to maintain the power it gained last September due to the support from the PP and the agreement to hold early elections. The conservative party has sought backing using rhetoric in its speeches within the context of the military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which resulted in approximately 100 deaths during the combats in June and December.
The Thais are voting to elect a new government and decide whether to change the Constitution.
