In recent years, Thailand has seen a number of political upheavals, which have brought about significant changes in the country’s governance structure. While the upcoming elections offer a fresh start for Thai democracy, there is an increasing need to assess how the new system will be funded. With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a decline in economic growth and government revenues, paying for a new Thai democracy presents a formidable challenge. In this article, we delve deeper into the issue and explore possible solutions to ensure a sustainable, transparent, and effective funding model for the country’s new political system.
Southeast Asia has long been a region with a complicated political evolution. However, recent months have witnessed positive developments in Thailand and Cambodia, with the former reaching its highest rank since 2006 in The Economist Democracy Index, and the latter receiving a big upgrade in its ranking as well. Nevertheless, since the upgrade, Cambodia has witnessed a crackdown on both the opposition and media by Prime Minister Hun Sen, as he seeks to install his son Hun Manet as the country’s next leader after the election in July. In both countries, opposition parties have emerged, with the Candlelight Party in Cambodia gaining traction and Thailand witnessing a newly competitive election.
For Thailand, the upcoming election on May 14th has become the most significant electoral event in Southeast Asia in 2022. The poll is creating new possibilities for the country to assume a more prominent role in the regional diplomatic scene. Interestingly, polling suggests a general acceptance amongst Thailand’s establishment “yellow shirt” forces that the time has come to at least consider a Shinawatra-influenced party back in government. The Pheu Thai Party, led by Pheu Thak’s daughter, Paetongtarn, has been leading the opinion polls for preferred prime minister for months, just as the party itself tops party polling.
Meanwhile, former military coup hardmen are assumedly donning civilian outfits to look more representative and democratic as the country moves to replace its previous military-led government. General Prayut Chan-o-cha has reportedly seen himself as a ‘potential compromise prime minister’ in a new coalition government, so he exited the military-created and governing Palang Pracharath Party for the smaller, but still conservative, establishment United Thai Nation Party.
Thai politics is also being shaped by the youthful thirst for a new form of politics. The 2019 election saw the start-up progressive Future Forward Party upset the odds, ranked third with the third-highest number of seats from scratch. However, it was politically dismantled by court actions, with its charismatic leader disqualified from parliament. Its second iteration, the Move Forward Party, has emerged under new leadership, and it topped a recent opinion poll of Bangkok voters.
In conclusion, Thailand’s upcoming election offers renewed hope for democracy in Southeast Asia. With a virtual guarantee of voter turnout, all parties are making unfunded promises, which will likely offer populist policies rather than substantive policies that would rejuvenate Thailand post-election. The elite will have difficult decisions to make, weighing the necessary structural reform with the party promises of their coalition members. However, Thailand’s electoral event signifies hope for democracy in Southeast Asia, which has been afflicted with political deadlocks and a lack of political reform over the years.
