51 million Thai people are called to vote. Is elected a new Parliament. Around the choice of strict security measures apply. The sale of alcohol is banned in Thailand temporarily.
The incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who had a military coup in 2014, to Power, wants to remain head of government. He is now the top candidate for a civil party, which is close to the army. First results are expected on Sunday.
For the Thais this is the first election in eight years. The previous democratically elected government had been weggeputscht to street protests by the army under General Prayut. The promised election was postponed by the military many times. Through Changes in the electoral law and a new Constitution, the political offshoot of the army towards the other parties are now have a clear advantage. The 65-year-old Prayut is running for the party Phalang Pracharat (PPRP).
Difficult government formation
In the upper house of Parliament, the Senate, has secured the military already, all of the 250 seats. The Senate and the house of representatives to choose the future Prime together. Therefore, it would be enough Prayut, if the PPRP of the 500 other posts 126 wins. However, this is by no means guaranteed. It is rather expected that in the future, no party alone can rule. Reliable surveys, there were before the election.
Good chances to be the strongest party, to be given to the party, Pheu Thai, the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra stands near. The billionaire had been overthrown by the military and now lives abroad, mostly in Hong Kong. Since the turn of the Millennium, Thaksin parties have won every election in Thailand.
With interest is expected to be Cutting off the party’s Future Forward under the 40-year-old top candidate Thanathorn Juanggroongruangkit, the hopes, particularly on the about seven million first-time voters. Thailand’s loyalty to the king of the democratic party as a possible coalition partner for the PPRP.
No poor people Power
king Maha Vajiralongkorn, reported immediately prior to the election with a message to his countrymen. In the statement, which was read out on television, it means: “to pacify an entire Nation, not all citizens are good people. But you need to support good leaders for the Nation, and prevent bad people come to Power.” Some experts evaluated this as support for the military.
The 66-year-old king had forbidden in the past month, his sister Ubolratana, the top candidate for a party from Thaksin’s environment. It would have been for Prayut is a strong competitor. Officially, the Royal house in Thailand about politics. In the case of criticism of the monarch’s harsh penalties for “lese majeste threaten”. Thailand was until 1932 a constitutional monarchy. Since then there have been a dozen military coups. The Royal house continues to have a strong position. (roy/SDA)
Created: 24.03.2019, 06:40 PM
