Bangkok [Thailand], May 14: On May 14, after nearly a decade in power by a military-backed government, some 52 million eligible Thai voters will head to polling stations to elect a new prime minister, according to Reuters news agency.
This election is mainly a competition between the military faction, represented by incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha , and the opposition led by the Pheu Thai party, led by Mrs. PaetongtarnShinawatra - daughter. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
With the Pheu Thai party leading the polls, many fear that the Thai army will once again coup if Prime Minister Prayuth is not re-elected. However, General NarongpanJitkaewthae, the head of the Thai army and army commander, has denied this possibility. According to the general, past coups were very negative. Therefore, he believes that there should be no more coups and the word should be removed from the dictionary, AFP news agency quoted him recently as saying.
However, another problem for Pheu Thai is that despite the high probability of victory, this party is still unlikely to take power, because winning the election does not mean winning enough seats in the House of Representatives. Under the 2017 constitution drafted by the military, the prime minister's seat will be elected by 500 MPs and MPs elected this time and 250 senators - appointed by Prayut's government -.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper