Move Forward Party Takes Stunning Lead As Thailand Voters Reject Military-Backed Rulers

The reformist opposition party in Thailand, Move Forward Party (MFP) has taken a remarkable lead in the elections after voters reject the army-back decade-old rule in the country.

Thailand voters have given a landmark verdict against the incumbent military-back rule in the recently concluded polls with the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) taking a stunning lead as counting nears the end. According to Al-Jazeera, MFP fought the general elections for the first time and promised a slew of bold reforms if it comes to power. As a result, the reformist opposition has won the most seats and attracted the largest share of votes after citizens massively rejected the reign of army-backed parties that have ruled it for nearly a decade. 

With almost all votes counted on Monday, the progressive Move Forward Party and the populist Pheu Thai Party were projected to win about 286 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, Al-Jazeera reported. 

BBC stated that the outcome is also a clear repudiation of the two military-aligned parties of the current government, and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Notably, the PM led a coup that ousted an elected government in 2014. The governing coalition won only 15 per cent of the seats. 

However, forming a government is not easy as it seems as modified parliamentary rules allow 250 members of a military-appointed Senate to vote on the prime minister. This means that MFP and Pheu Thai will need the support of smaller parties to establish a new administration. 

The MFP had promised to reform the monarchy in the country and reduce the power of the military by rewriting the country’s constitution and ending conscription. 

As for the latest, with 99 percent of votes counted, according to Al-Jazeera, MFP is looking to grab 147 seats in the lower house. This includes 112 from the 400 seats that are directly elected and 35 from the 100 seats allocated to parties on a proportional basis, the report added. 

Reacting to the developments, MFP’s 42-year-old leader Pita Limjaroenrat told the BBC, "We didn't leave any stones unturned. People have had enough in the last decade. Now, it's a new day." 

 Meanwhile, Pheu Thai, the second-largest party, has said it has agreed to join MFP and four smaller opposition parties, giving them a coalition of more than 60 per cent of seats in the new parliament. 

It is being speculated that Prayuth’s 250-strong unelected senate may object to Move Forward's progressive agenda, in particular its pledge to amend the controversial lese majeste law, the BBC stated in its report.  

Pita tweeted that he was "ready" to become the country's 30th prime minister. "We have the same dreams and hopes. And together we believe that our beloved Thailand can be better, and changes are possible if we start working on them today," he wrote, as quoted by BBC. 

MFP had earlier ruled out any coalition with parties associated with the 2014 military coup, a position on which its reformist rival Pheu Thai was initially evasive, the report said. 

However, on Monday, Pita told the media, "With the consensus that came out of the election, it will be quite a hefty price to pay for someone who is thinking of abolishing the election results or forming a minority government... it is quite far-fetched for now."  

"And I think the people of Thailand will not allow that to happen," he said.