#AsialinkWebinarSeries on Thailand's recent national elections and the prospects of restoring democracy in the country.
The elections, which were held on 14th May, witnessed a significant victory for reformist, pro-democracy forces, with the progressive Move Forward Party emerging as the strongest party in Bangkok constituencies. However, challenges remain as the constitution granted 250 unelected senators, handpicked by military leaders, a potentially decisive say in selecting the next prime minister.
On 6 June 2023, our panelists, experts from the field of politics and international relations, analysed the state of politics in Thailand and discussed potential trends. They delved into whether the choice of the people would be respected by the entrenched elite, which still wielded considerable power in shaping the future government. Additionally, the panel explored the possibilities for the Move Forward Party to form a government and pursue an ambitious agenda, including reforming the controversial royal defamation law and dismantling monopolistic protections for big conglomerates.
The panelists included:
- Thomas Parks (Moderator) - Thailand country representative of the Asia Foundation
- Paul Robilliard - Former Australian Ambassador to Thailand
- Prof. Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee - Head of the Department of Government at Chulalongkorn University
- Assoc. Dr. Aim Sinpeng - Lecturer in comparative politics at the University of Sydney
Watch the webinar: