Opposition’s Mission: Battle the “Government Upgrade” of Bangkok’s Voting Formula
Yesterday, the Pheu Thai Party—Thailand’s biggest opposition outfit—took the spotlight in Bangkok to announce a bold move. They’re planning to sue the court to halt any attempts by the governing bloc to tweak the electoral system. Why? Because the changes look like a ticket to keep the current admin firmly in power.
Who’s in the Spotlight?
- Prayuth Chan-ocha – the former army general who seized the throne in a 2014 coup. He’s basically winding down his term and the big election is slated for May next year.
- Prasert Chantararuangthong – Pheu Thai’s secretary‑general, sounding the alarm and promising a constitutional court showdown.
- Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana – the government’s spokesperson, declaring the changes simply reflect the majority voice in parliament.
The “Beautiful” New Voting Formula
The parliament recently approved a plan to overhaul how party‑list seats are calculated. In essence, small parties would gain extra seats even if they only received a handful of votes. Pheu Thai argues this is a direct stab at big parties like themselves.
There’s a twist: The proposal survived its second reading but was rejected in another angle favored by opposition lawmakers. Now, it’s waiting for a third reading and a royal seal.
Why It Feels Like a Cheat Code
“General Prayuth looks to keep the throne by turning the electoral system into his own ladder,” warned Prasert. A quick back‑story: eight years ago the same guy overthrew Pheu Thai and installed himself in power.
History of the Voter’s Switch
- In 2019, a new constitution allowed Prayuth’s Palang Pracharat party to rubber‑stamp a win despite losing the popular vote.
- Now, the same trick is on the table to notch a future win.
Political Analysts Weigh In
“We’re about to see smaller parties grabbing big seats for minimal votes—exactly what happened back in 2019,” flagged analyst Stithorn Thananithichot of the King Prajadhipok Institute.
Buzz Around the Last 20 Years
The shin-shining Shinawatra family—billionaire owners of Pheu Thai—has secured a parliamentary dynasty, tossing home‑grown wins in landslides. Yet, with the current seat‑calculation hack, the balance is set to tilt.
So, folks, buckle up. The Pheu Thai Party is gearing up to take the fight to the courts, looking to keep the democracy from becoming a playground for those who fix the rules to suit their own ambitions.
