Opposition crushes military parties in election rout
AMN / WEB DESK
Opposition parties in Thailand have secured the largest number of votes in national elections, delivering a damning verdict to the military-backed government that has ruled the country for nearly a decade.
Speaking on Monday, the leader of the opposition Move Forward party said he had invited Pheu Thai, the party associated with the exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and four other opposition parties to form an alliance after securing the largest number of votes.
The opposition Move Forward Party outperformed even optimistic projections and appeared poised to capture almost all 33 House seats in the capital Bangkok. Along with the Pheu Thai Party, the favoured opposition group, Move Forward campaigned for reform of the military and the monarchy.
However, it was far from certain either will form the next government, with parliamentary rules written by the military after its 2014 coup skewed in its favour.
According to the rule, the opposition parties will need to strike deals and muster support from multiple camps, including members of a junta-appointed Senate that has sided with military parties and gets to vote on who becomes prime minister and form the next administration.
The election has been described as a turning point for Thailand which has experienced military coups in its recent years.
Mr Prayuth led the last coup in 2014 and sought another term in office.