Why Thailand is facing its biggest pro-democracy protests in years
Anger grows as ruling military junta again postpones election initially promised for 2015
Demonstrators have gathered on the streets of Bangkok for the third time in less than a week to protest the rumoured postponement of Thailand’s general election by the ruling military junta.
Hundreds of people joined protests in the capital yesterday after the military government appeared to renege on assurances that the vote would finally be held on 24 February - more than three years after it was first scheduled to take place. The Guardian reports that the rally was one of the biggest pro-democracy protests in Thailand in recent years.
The row dates back to 2014, when the Royal Thai Armed Forces overthrew the interim government put in place following the controversial removal from office of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Power was then seized by the military junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which later promised to hold elections “by the end of 2015”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This was subsequently pushed back to “around August or in September” of 2016, before Prayuth Chan-ocha, the prime minister who heads the military government, pledged that a general election would be held sometime in November 2018. In January 2018, the government voted to push back the vote again, agreeing on the February date.
The latest wave of anger from pro-democracy protesters was triggered by an announcement on 3 January that the elections might be postponed once more so that the government could focus on preparations for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, taking place in May, The Straits Times reports.
Channel News Asia notes that the Thai king has yet to sign a decree that explicitly allows the Election Commission to announce an official vote date.
A campaign group known as “We Vote” said it organised the protests in Bangkok, along with marches in other cities across the country. One of the group’s leaders, Nuttaa Mahattana, said on Facebook: “The objective for today is to secure a date for the election after five postponements.”
Such demonstrations were banned until December, when the military government lifted restrictions on political gatherings ahead of the expected poll, Bloomberg reports.
Thailand’s last universally recognised election took place in 2011. Another poll was held in 2014 but was invalidated by the constitutional court shortly before the junta took power.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
In what countries is assisted dying legal or in consideration for being made legal?
In the spotlight More countries are granting more people the right to die
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
5 captivating books to read in May
the week recommends Brittney Griner tells her own story, a coming-of-middle-age novel and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
The secretive practice of 'catch-and-kill' tabloid journalism
The Explainer Outlets such as the National Enquirer have become infamous for using the practice
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Panama presidency won by stand-in for fugitive
Speed Read José Raúl Mulino was the stand-in candidate for disqualified former president Ricardo Martinelli
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Xi comes to Europe: what's on the agenda?
The Explainer China's president visiting for first time since 2019, with spotlight on support for Russia over Ukraine and trade tensions with EU
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
India elections start amid violence, hate speech accusations
Talking Points Narendra Modi seeks a third term while critics worry about the future of the country's democracy
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published