In Thailand’s May general election, Bangkok office worker Anat Wongmadthong was excited to vote for Move Forward, a progressive party promising a radical break from almost a decade of military rule.
But while Move Forward stormed to an unexpected election victory, its erstwhile ally, the Pheu Thai party founded by billionaire and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, this week sealed a deal with the generals that would keep military influence at the heart of Thai government.
The pact, forged despite Pheu Thai’s previous pledges to work with Move Forward to oust the military-backed government, has left many Thais deeply disappointed, said Anat, 27. “We are so fed up with the same old political climate,” he said. “That’s why we voted for change.”