Thai elections: 7 parties join hands to oust junta

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA – Anti-military junta parties on Wednesday joined hands to form the next government in Thailand, local media reported.

Thai citizens voted to elect a 500-member parliament Sunday for the first time in eight years.

Addressing a news conference in Bangkok, Pheu Thai Party -- which bagged most of the seats after unofficial results were declared -- said it will form a coalition with six other parties to lead the next government, Khaosod English online reported.

“Pheu Thai has been firm, since our first day of campaigning until election day, that we want to stop the NCPO’s [National Council for Peace and Order] power,” prime ministerial candidate Sudarat Keyuraphan said.

“We want to carry out the intentions of the people, since we have got the majority. We have at least 255 seats, although the numbers are not final yet,” he added.

Late Monday, the election authority said the unofficial tally of seats won by the anti-junta Pheu Thai Party stood at 137, followed by the military-backed Phalang Pracharat party with 97 seats.

Pheu Thai Party leaders said they are joining hands with the Future Forward, Seri Ruam Thai, Prachachart, Puea Chat, New Economics and Thai People Power parties to form the next government.

The seven party coalition has gained 255 seats in the parliament which gives them a majority in the lower house.

Even after bagging majority in lower house of parliament, the senate vote remains important.

Some 250 senators will be appointed by the NCPO -- backed by the military junta -- and will for the first time in Thailand’s history take part in choosing the country’s next prime minister together with 500 MPs in the lower house when parliament is convened.

Thai political observers believe these senators will decide the fate of the election.

“Since no single party, as results show, could register a massive victory, it makes the role of the senate important,” a journalist told Anadolu Agency speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly.

International election observers have said that the elections were “deeply flawed”.

The general elections were delayed four times since 2014 when the powerful Royal Thai Army toppled the last civilian government.