Economist Podcasts New school Thais: a military establishment voted out
May 16, 2023
Avantika Tilkoti, an International correspondent for The Economist, and Abby Bertics, a Science correspondent, dive into Thailand’s political shift with the reformist Move Forward party gaining traction among young voters. They discuss the hurdles posed by military influence and entrenched interests in democracy's path. On a different note, Bertics sheds light on the Ocean Census initiative, aiming to uncover 100,000 new marine species, tapping into cutting-edge DNA research, and emphasizing the importance of marine biodiversity amidst climate challenges.
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Thai Election Shift
- Thailand's election saw a reformist party, Move Forward, win the most seats.
- This win signals a potential shift away from the traditional two-sided political landscape.
Senate's Influence
- Thailand's political system gives significant power to the Senate in choosing the prime minister.
- This system, established by the military, could hinder Move Forward's leader from taking charge.
Past Political Ploy
- Move Forward's earlier success in 2019 led to its leader being charged and the party disbanded.
- Similar tactics could be used against the current leader, Mr. Pitta, despite his denial of wrongdoing.