With a new king, will 2019 herald a new political normal for Thailand?
- Since 2005 Thailand has been stuck in a damaging election-protest-coup-re-election cycle, but the coronation of a new monarch could lead to a new kind of politics away from the red vs yellow confrontation of the past
After nearly five years of military government and a new constitution, Thailand’s political outlook remains murky. Its planned February 24 election has been delayed multiple times and has been tentatively reset to March 24.
Under a 150-day period after enabling laws came into effect, the election process has to be completed by May 9. Meanwhile, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who initially delayed his succession to the throne after his father's death in 2016, is set to be crowned on May 4.
In the short term, Thailand’s politics are likely to be contentious, but the longer-term prospects include the possibility of a new balance after 12 years of political polarisation and conflict.
This balance may only be realised, however, if the country’s leaders are willing to compromise and accept a form of democratic rule that preserves some of the interests of the elite while allowing more voice and space for the previously neglected masses.
