Thai junta allows new political parties to register for elections

At least 42 prospective political parties have submitted registrations to Thailand’s Election Commission after the military government that has run the country since 2014 allowed new parties to form ahead of polls supposed to be held by next February.

Registration is just the start of the process and does not automatically mean the parties have been officially recognised.

They must satisfy a raft of requirements within 180 days and still need the junta’s permission to operate. Submissions are being accepted until 31 March.

There is scepticism about the announced election date because several previously promised deadlines were pushed back, and in announcing the February date last week prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha suggested that it is conditional on the political situation remaining calm.

There is also speculation that some parties are being established to support the military’s continueddominanceoverthe government. They would back having Mr Prayuth remain the country’s leader under a new constitutional clause that allows the next parliament to choose an unelected “outsider” as prime minister.

After ousting an elected government in May 2014, the military regime introduced a ban on political activities, citing the need to avoid disorder. Thailand had been wracked by occasionally violent political fighting between supporters and opponents of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after he was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Disruptive street protests by anti-thaksin demonstrators beginning in late 2013 led to the take-over by the army, which has sought to prevent a comeback by Thaksin’s political machine.

Under a new Political Parties Act, introduced by the juntaappointed parliament, parties must have at least 500 registered members and one million baht (about £23,000) in funds to qualify for registration.

A range of political groups were present at the Election Commission yesterday to register for the much-anticipated elections. Election Commission Secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma said that the turn-out “shows that people have drive and belief in democracy”.

Among the parties suspected of fronting for the military is the New Phalangdharma Party, whose leader, Ravee Machamadol, said that if the situation calls for an outsider prime minister, that’s what his party would support.

“In voting for an outsider, we will vote for the best available person, and if on that day Prayuth is the best person, then we will vote for him,” he said.

newsdeskts@scotsman.com