Pheu Thai (6do encyclopedia)



Pheu Thai is a political party in Thailand, established in 2008 following the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party. The party is predominantly associated with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who both served as party leaders.

History

Following the September 2006 military coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra, the Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved along with other affiliated parties. Many former members of Thai Rak Thai, including several MPs, joined together to form a new party. Pheu Thai was officially launched on 19 September 2008, with veteran politician Yongyuth Wichaidit as the party’s first leader.

The party quickly gained popularity, gaining several by-elections and winning the national election in 2011. Yingluck Shinawatra became the first female prime minister of Thailand following the election, but her government was later removed in a military coup in 2014.

Policies

Pheu Thai is a populist party with a focus on policies that benefit the majority of the population. The party’s policies include:

  1. Economic policies that promote growth and development in all regions of the country.

  2. Social policies that ensure access to healthcare, education, and affordable housing for all Thais.

  3. Environmental policies that protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

  4. Foreign policies that promote good relations with neighboring countries and strengthen Thailand’s role in the international community.

  5. Human rights policies that protect the rights of all Thais, including minority groups and marginalized communities.

Criticism

Pheu Thai’s association with Thaksin Shinawatra has made the party a divisive force in Thai politics. Thaksin, a controversial figure, was accused of corruption and abuse of power during his time as prime minister. After being deposed, he fled the country to avoid imprisonment.

Opponents of Thaksin and Pheu Thai accuse the party of being corrupt and using populist policies to buy votes. They also point to the party’s close ties to pro-democracy group, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), which has been accused by some of being undemocratic and violent.

However, Pheu Thai supporters point to the party’s track record of winning elections, indicating that the party’s policies are popular with the majority of Thais. They argue that the party has been the victim of unfair treatment from the military, which has sought to suppress Pheu Thai and its supporters.

Conclusion

Pheu Thai is a populist political party in Thailand with a focus on policies that benefit the majority of the population. The party’s association with Thaksin Shinawatra has made it a controversial force in Thai politics. Supporters of the party believe that it has been unfairly treated by the military and that its policies are popular with the majority of Thais. However, opponents accuse the party of corruption and using populist policies to buy votes.


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Pro-democracy opposition parties surge ahead in Thailand election

Telegraph

23-05-14 21:16


Thailand's pro-democracy opposition parties are ahead in the country's election, which could pave the way for progressive coalition government. Move Forward and Pheu Thai were predicted to gain a majority in the 500-seat lower house. This reflects societal changes in Thailand, where young people are questioning the monarchy and military. The findings show a sharp contrast to the current military-backed government, which will close the door on them forming a minority government. However, the path to a progressive coalition government is still bumpy. The military-appointed senate has extensive power over who becomes prime minister, and both pro-democracy parties face being dissolved by a court order.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/05/14/thailand-elections-pro-democracy-military-government/
Factbox: Preliminary results of Thailand's election

Reuters

23-05-14 20:36


Thailand's opposition parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai have won the most seats in the country's election, potentially challenging the military-backed government that has ruled for almost 10 years. Preliminary results show that Move Forward won 151 seats, while Pheu Thai earned 141. Bhumjaithai and Palang Pracharat won 70 and 41 seats, respectively, while United Thai Nation took 36. The Democrats won 25, Chart Thai Pattana won 10, Prachachart won nine and Thai Sang Thai received six. Minor parties won a total of 13 seats between them.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/preliminary-results-thailands-election-2023-05-14/
'Sensational!' - Revelry follows Thai opposition Move Forward's lead in elections

Reuters

23-05-14 20:25


Thailand's Move Forward party has taken an early lead in the country's election, with current results showing it ahead of the opposition Pheu Thai party. The military-backed parties or Pheu Thai have dominated the political landscape in the past, so the current lead by Move Forward has shaken it up. Move Forward's policies, including increasing the minimum wage and amending the law regarding the punishment for insulting the king, have attracted young voters to support them. While the party did not officially participate in the 2020 youth protests against the monarchy or military-backed government, many activists from that movement have run as Move Forward candidates.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sensational-revelry-follows-thai-opposition-move-forwards-lead-elections-2023-05-14/
Thailand opposition on course to crush military parties in election rout

The Sydney Morning Herald

23-05-14 20:23


Thailand's opposition parties are on course to win the country's election, as turnout surged behind parties promising an end to a decade of conservative government which was led or backed by the military. The Pheu Thai Party and the Move Forward party have surged ahead, but are far from certain to lead Thailand's next government, as ruling party members will need to strike deals, including with members of a junta-appointed Senate that sided with military parties. The preliminary results are a crushing blow for the military junta and its allies, with the Palang Pracharat political vehicle and Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha’s United Thai Nation, seemingly headed for a big defeat.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/thailand-opposition-on-course-to-crush-military-parties-in-election-rout-20230515-p5d8ca.html
Thailand's voters back change as opposition parties surge forward in partial election results

CBC

23-05-14 20:23


Thailand’s political opposition looked to be headed for a sweeping victory in Sunday’s election, with large voter support for two parties promising significant change, following a decade of conservative government in the country. While the Pheu Thai Party and the Move Forward party surged ahead with over 90% of the votes counted, they will need to make deals, possibly with junta-appointed Senate members, to try and gain power, which military-developed parliamentary rules make difficult to do. Founded by self-exiled tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, Pheu Thai is grappling with nostalgia for past populist policies aiming to restore the party to power.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/thailand-election-prayuth-paetongtarn-1.6843216
Thailand’s Harvard-educated election winner challenges military’s grip on power

Financial Times

23-05-16 04:21


The victory of Pita Limjaroenrat’s progressive Move Forward party in last weekend’s general election in Thailand represented a break with the political past of the country. The unexpected win has created a powerful political platform to challenge the government led by the military, however, despite the triumph many hurdles stand between Pita and the premiership. Nevertheless, Move Forward has persuaded more established opposition groups to join in a coalition despite its radical reform agenda, while also sidestepping any intervention by Thailand’s deeply conservative military-royalist establishment. Since the party took up the mantle of the 2020 pro-democracy protest movement, it has attracted support from young and urban voters disenchanted with the establishment. Move Forward’s charismatic standard-bearer, Pita, earlier worked with Singapore-based rides and delivery superapp, Grab. The pitfall for the party will be to convince other groups such as Bhumjaithai, a regional party that placed third, to come on board with their reformist agenda, which could be prohibitively complicated.

https://www.ft.com/content/16b1f836-3d66-43e9-a9f6-1c2fc4ea0ed2
Thailand election latest: Move Forward coalition begins bid for House, Senate votes

Nikkei Asia

23-05-16 03:09


Thailand's pro-democracy opposition party, Move Forward, is expected to form a coalition with the Pheu Thai party, according to local sources. The announcement followed the country's first general election since 2014's military coup, with the ruling junta-backed Palang Pracharat party struggling to collect enough support to stay in government. The move was recommended by other smaller opposition parties that gained seats in the election. There now appears to be little chance of the coup-installed prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, retaining his position, however, with only two-thirds of the vote counted so far, the Move Forward-Pheu Thai coalition is short of the 376 lawmakers needed for a parliamentary majority. The remaining 250 members of the legislature are appointed by the military and can only vote with the largest coalition; the establishment has previously pledged to prevent the opposition from gaining control of the house.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Thai-election/Thailand-election-latest-Move-Forward-coalition-begins-bid-for-House-Senate-votes
Thailand’s opposition won a landslide in elections. But will the military elite let them rule?

CNN

23-05-16 02:56


The progressive Move Forward Party, which gained a huge following among young Thais for its reformist platform, won the most seats and the largest share of the popular vote in Thailand's latest election. Pheu Thai, the main opposition party that has been a populist force in Thailand for 20 years, came second. Over the last two decades, each time Thais have been allowed to vote, they have done so overwhelmingly in support of the military’s political opponents. Despite the victory, it is far from certain who will be the next leader. That’s because the military junta that last seized power in 2014 rewrote the constitution to ensure they maintain a huge say in who can lead, whether or not they win the popular vote. Neither opposition party won a majority of 375 seats needed to form a government outright. They will need to strike deals and wrangle support from other parties to form a coalition big enough to ensure victory. Under the junta-era constitution, Thailand’s unelected 250-seat senate is chosen entirely by the military and has previously voted for a pro-military candidate.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/15/asia/thailand-opposition-parties-military-election-analysis-intl-hnk/index.html
‘Bangkok Spring’ sets up showdown over role of Thai monarchy

Japan Times

23-05-16 02:09


Thai political party Move Forward has suggested changes for Article 112 which restricts criticism of Thailand's monarchy, breaking a taboo and prompting speculation that pro-democracy movement gains could result in a conservative backlash that sparks protests and stifles the economy. Pita Limjaroenrat, the party leader of Move Forward, has sworn to change Article 112. However, the Constitution Court could still challenge any moves to amend the law. The odds makers suggest Move Forward will have a difficult job of implementing meaningful change without a fight.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/16/asia-pacific/bangkok-spring-thai-monrarchy-showdown/
Thailand election latest: Prayuth breaks silence, calls for 'stability'

Nikkei Asia

23-05-16 07:22


Thailand has concluded its first election since the military coup of 2014, with the pro-junta Palang Pracharath emerging as the largest party. Talks will now begin on the formation of a coalition government. The Election Commission, the army and the junta have been accused of trying to manipulate the result to ensure the retention of military control. The results have revealed deep political divisions in Thailand, with young, urban voters tending to support pro-democracy parties, while older, rural voters backed conservative candidates. Almost 70% of Thais voted, the largest turnout since 1997.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Thai-election/Thailand-election-latest-Prayuth-breaks-silence-calls-for-stability
Who will form the government in Thailand after junta defeat?

The Independent

23-05-16 11:58


Sunday's general election saw Thailand's Move Forward party secure a landslide victory, however the now-uphill task is to ensure its leader Pita Limjaroenrat becomes the next prime minister. The parliament is made up of 500 seats with Move Forward taking 151, ahead of major opposition Pheu Thai on 141 seats. On July the election for prime minister will take place; it includes all House members plus the military-appointed Senate, who share conservative policies. The winner must receive 376 of combined 750 seats. Pita is in the process of forming a coalition with Pheu Thai and smaller parties.

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/thailand-elections-move-forward-win-b2339760.html
Thai opposition figure urges holdout parties to support election winner

Reuters

23-05-16 11:18


The Move Forward Party has urged other parties to join a coalition to block military-backed parties from forming a minority government. The progressive party won the most seats in the recent general election and narrowly missed out on a complete sweep of the capital, Bangkok. The party is expected to form a coalition with another opposition party, the populist Pheu Thai, having agreed to join forces. Together, they will have 310 seats in the lower House of Representatives. However, to ensure they can vote in a prime minister, they need more than half of the lower and upper house seats combined.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-opposition-figure-urges-holdout-parties-support-election-winner-2023-05-16/
Leader of Thailand's Move Forward party faces hurdles on path to power

Reuters

23-05-16 10:45


Despite Move Forward winning the majority vote in Thailand's general election, analysts claim that there are still hurdles that could block Pita Limjaroenrat from becoming Prime Minister. Potential obstacles include Move Forward's alliance partners, a Senate dominated by conservatives, and accusations of wrongdoing against Pita. Additionally, Move Forward's approach towards the monarchy differs from its main coalition partner, Pheu Thai. Although the opposition is sticking together so far, critics cite the difference in policies and positions as making other parties uneasy about aligning with Pita, making it difficult for an agreement.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/leader-thailands-move-forward-party-faces-hurdles-path-power-2023-05-16/
Thailand's Thaksin lauds 'disruptors' Move Forward for election triumph

Reuters

23-05-16 16:52


Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra praised the election-winning Move Forward Party, claiming the group's success over the established Pheu Thai party was credited to their social media skills and their use of user-generated content. Thaksin stated that the newly-elected party disrupted traditional politics and garnered support for their liberal ideology by using apps geared toward younger voters, such as TikTok. In addition, the Move Forward Party appealed to the youth with their promises to fight monopolies, amnesty for the youth, and efforts to amend a rigid law that upholds prison sentences for insults to the monarchy.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-thaksin-lauds-disruptors-move-forward-election-triumph-2023-05-16/
2023 Thai Election Results: An Opposition Win but Unclear Path Ahead

CSIS

23-05-16 20:30


Thailand's opposition Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties have won by a significant margin over their conservative and military-backed counterparts, according to initial results from the first national elections since 2019. The Move Forward Party won 151 seats, marking the largest share of seats and outperforming expectations, with 32 of the 33 seats in Bangkok. Meanwhile, Pheu Thai won 141 seats and the Bhumjaithai Party came third with 71 seats. The party led in most preelection polls, but rumors of a Pheu Thai alliance with Palang Pracharat may have cost them much of the pro-democracy youth vote.

If the two opposition parties can manage to form a coalition government, Pheu Thai will now serve as junior partner. The easiest path to 376 would be to invite Bhumjaithai into a coalition, but it seems neither side is ready for that yet. Move Forward has positioned itself as a reformist party, promising to draft a new constitution. However, Bhumajaithai and most of the Senate seem unwilling to amend Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code, which prohibits criticism of Thailand’s monarchy. The United States will find it much easier to work with a democratically elected Thai government, rather than a military dictatorship, as the two sides would be able to repair some of the lingering distrust of the last decade under Prayuth’s rule.


https://www.csis.org/analysis/2023-thai-election-results-opposition-win-unclear-path-ahead

Thailand election latest: Thaksin calls election 'wake-up call for army'

Nikkei Asia

23-05-17 06:00


Thailand's pro-democracy opposition has won a tight election, likely shutting the door on military rule under incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. With tallies of all votes cast counted, state television said the main opposition Pheu Thai party won the popular vote with 8.4 million votes, while the pro-army Palang Pracha Rath won 7.9 million votes. The results of the poll for the 500-seat parliament were expected to be a close call meaning weeks of negotiation and uncertainty of the formation of a workable coalition government are expected. The prime minister oversees a sharp decline in exports and rising public debt. The army had ruled the Southeast Asian country since 2014, when they ousted the civilian government.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Thai-election/Thailand-election-latest-Thaksin-calls-election-wake-up-call-for-army
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat says he will ‘demilitarize’ Thailand

CNN

23-05-17 04:46


Pita Limjaroenrat’s Move Forward Party is likely to win the largest share of seats in Thailand’s election. Limjaroenrat revealed that his three-pronged policy priorities are to demilitarise, demonopolise and decentralise Thailand over the next four years. These proposed changes will reduce the military’s budget, number of generals, and transparency but will also work to democratise and globalise Thailand. The party’s success in this year’s election has demonstrated Thailand’s demand for change and policies resonate across society, especially among young Thais. Limjaroenrat hopes to form a coalition with opposition parties including Puea Thai.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/17/asia/thailand-election-opposition-party-leader-interview-intl-hnk/index.html
Thailand’s youth reject the generals

Washington Post

23-05-17 04:00


Millennial and Gen Z voters have been instrumental in putting Thailand's opposition parties in the lead in their general elections, helping the progressive Move Forward Party gain 152 seats, with the main opposition party, Pheu Thai, gaining 141 seats. Both secured far greater vote shares than the 36 seats projected to be won by the party of Prime Minister and former military leader, Prayuth Chan-ocha. An alliance between the opposing parties and a number of smaller parties could command up to 60% of Thailand’s lower house, but this may not be enough to oust the ruling party. The country's upper and lower houses have different responsibilities in appointing a prime minister, and under rules established by the military-backed government, the prime minister must have 376 members backing him, combining both the lower and unelected upper house. Analysts suggest it may prove complex for the new factions to fulfil their ambitions for political reform with the establishment opposing them, and call on the upper house to respect the wishes of the voters.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/17/thailand-youth-election-military-protest-move-forward/
Intrigue, uncertainty in Thailand after opposition's election win

Reuters

23-05-17 09:40


Thailand's election-winning parties are seeking to overcome the military-backed bloc's built-in advantage in forming a government that reflects the popular desire for an end to military control of politics. The current prospect is a coalition led by the amazing result winners Move Forward party and including several pro-democracy parties who, together, hold 311 of the 500 lower house seats. However, the situation is complicated by Thailand's powerful military, which toppled the last elected government in 2014 and, along with other parties, participates in a combined vote for a prime minister. A coalition requires 376 votes.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/intrigue-uncertainty-thailand-after-oppositions-election-win-2023-05-17/