Bangkok Protesters Rally, Demand a 2018 Election
On the early morning of May 22, 2018, a wave of Thai supporters gathered at Thammasat University, setting out for the Prime Minister’s office to push for a November 2018 vote.
Why the “No Quicker Than Early 2019” Line Matters
- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan‑Ocha has repeated that the next general election will be held in “early 2019, no sooner.”
- The crowd’s call for a November election feels like a live‑action request—basically, “Can we speed up the music?”
- When the demonstrators stepped onto the streets, a line of black‑uniformed police made it clear they were not going to open the gates.
History Recap: Four Years Since the 2014 Coup
These protests don’t just come out of the blue. They’re the anniversary of the 2014 coup when Prayuth, then an army chief, toppled the elected government. The military promised a 2015 election—now delayed again and again.
The Tension in the Air
- Thousands of slogans and armed guards clashed as the fighters sought to march to Government House.
- In a story that could have been a movie plot: protesters, full of hope, were confronted by lines of police shields.
- It’s hard to picture a smoother day, especially when the entire nation is waiting for the ballots to finally roll.
In the end, the Cambodian vibe is that politics in Thailand have a habit of postponing commitments—just like those toast‑on‑video resolutions we all make in homes.
