The last one took place in May 2014 when the Thai armed forces, led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, toppled a caretaker government following months of political crisis. According to Thailand's election commission, the two biggest opposition parties - Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai - have secured more than 290 seats. Pheu Thai, fronted by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter Paetongtarn, won 141 seats to become the second-largest opposition force. But they need 376 seats in the lower house to choose a prime minister themselves without seeking consent from the military-appointed senate. Yet he is also the last candidate the military would like to see become prime minister in light of his "anti-dictator-backed, military-backed parties" election slogans.

Source: The Standard May 15, 2023 19:13 UTC