Key Things to Watch in Thailand's Election

Lives and livelihoods are dominating the election discourse. With just over two and a half percent growth last year, Thailand's economy is trailing neighbors like Malaysia and the Philippines. A global slowdown is weighing on its key export sector, driving foreign investors away. All the major parties are promising a similar package. Flash handouts, a higher minimum wage and suspension of debt repayments. Fifty-two million voters will be electing 500 members to the lower house of parliament. It is a crowded race and even with polls showing the main opposition Pui Thai Party in the lead, forming a government will be a herculean task.

The choice of prime minister is decided by the lower house and 250 members of the Senate, unelected and mostly handpicked by the military. So in theory, the opposition will need 75 percent of the vote. Pui Thai is backed by billionaire Tuxin Shinawat and his sister Yinglong, both former premiers living in self-exile. The current prime minister, Praj Chanocha, who has been in charge since leading a coup in 2014, is running again with a new political party. And the military is backing his deputy, Prahwit Wong-Soo Wan. The opposition wants the military out, accusing it of failing to stem corruption and mismanagement during the pandemic, democratic values they say have also been casualties and the young want more freedom of speech. Thai politics is divisive.

The nation has seen more coup d'etats than most other countries in modern history.

Haslinda Amin, Thailand, Thailand Election, Thailand Government