Three PMs in three years, sluggish growth and a war: Thailand votes in key election

obinnaagina03

9 months ago

Millions of Thais are voting on Sunday in a key election following years of political turmoil
The snap poll was called by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the country’s third leader in three years
Neither his Bhumjaithai Party nor the People’s Party, which is leading in the polls, are expected to win a majority, making a coalition government likely
But the big question hanging over this election is how well the young, reformist People’s Party performs, our South East Asia correspondent writes
If it exceeds the 151 seats it won in 2023, barring it from governing may prove difficult, despite the unease about its agenda in conservative and royalist circles
The economy, slowed down by a lack of reforms, high household debt and rising costs, is high on the agenda
Also on the ballot: a referendum on rewriting the military-backed constitution, which critics say gives too much power to the unelected senate