Two anti-military political parties emerge as major forces in Thailand’s general election

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Bangkok, May 15 (Hindustan Times). Opposition parties against military rule are emerging as a major force in Thailand’s general election. This has raised hopes that the army-backed government, which has been in power for a decade, may be bid farewell.

More than 99 percent of votes have been counted after Thailand’s general election on Sunday. The opposition parties, Move Forward Party and Phayu Thai Party have got the maximum number of seats in the vote count so far. Prior to the election, opposition parties had promised voters freedom from military rule. In this election, issues like reform of the monarchy insult law and cleanliness were also important.

It may take some time for complete election results to be released. Initial trends in vote counting suggest that the Move Forward Party may win 113 out of 400 seats and the Phayu Thai Party may win around 112 seats. The 100 seats will be distributed on the basis of the vote percentage of the parties.

The Phayu Thai Party is one of the oldest parties in the country. Its founder is billionaire industrialist Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin Shinawatra has been the Prime Minister once. His relative Yingluck Shinawatra has also taken over the reins of the country. Both times the army has ousted both of them from power. Now Thaksin’s daughter Paitongarn Shinawatra is in the race to become prime minister. Limjaronarat, leader of the Move Forward party, is also in the running to become prime minister. Both the parties have not ruled out an alliance.