Opinion | Thailand’s emerging ‘New Right’ political movement seeks to suppress the country’s democracy

A strong electoral showing by the junta-backed Palang Pracharat Party in Thailand’s general elections in March can be attributed, for the most part, to extensive electoral rigging afforded by the undemocratic constitution and election laws which gave a huge advantage to the parties allied to the military.

Be that as it may, the 7.9 million votes received by the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party – the most of any party nationwide – also attests to the wide popular support that it enjoys among the Thai people.

To understand its phenomenal success, the recent elections must be seen in a binary context: as a contest between the democratic forces led by the Puea Thai party and semi-authoritarian forces led by Palang Pracharat. Middle-of-the-road parties, which are not committed to democratic principles, exist on the periphery – ready to throw their weight behind whichever camp offers them the best deal.