The Intelligence from The Economist Generals’ election: Thai politics
May 9, 2019
Miranda Johnson, Southeast Asia correspondent for The Economist, and Anton LaGuardia, the magazine’s digital editor, discuss the aftermath of Thailand's elections marked by military manipulation and the rise of a youth-led opposition party. They also dive into Russia's increasing military presence in Syria, exploring its strategic motivations and the broader implications for regional power dynamics. The conversation highlights Thailand's democratic struggles and the contrasting historical context of its leadership in Southeast Asia.
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Thailand's Election
- Thailand held its first general election since the 2014 military coup.
- The ruling junta manipulated the election to maintain control.
Election Manipulation
- The junta rigged the election by banning political activity, dissolving opposition parties, and controlling the upper house.
- Despite this, opposition parties initially seemed to secure a lower house majority.
Post-Election Manipulation
- The Election Commission altered the seat allocation formula after the vote.
- This change gave more seats to smaller parties, diminishing the opposition's majority.