"Thailand's election commission confirmed on Monday that early national elections will take place on February 8. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul last week triggered the vote amid a decades-old territorial dispute with neighboring Cambodia that has once again turned deadly. Dozens of people including soldiers and civilians have died on both sides as heavy combat over contested borders entered a second week. The country's parliament was dissolved on Friday after getting approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Anutin claimed on Thursday that he wanted to "return power to the people." By receiving royal backing to dissolve parliament, Anutin avoided a no-confidence vote that could have swiftly ended his tenure. Some analysts say that the PM is capitalizing on a nationalist wave whipped up by the border conflict with Cambodia."
""With the rising nationalistic sentiment in the country, that actually works for him because people are quite supportive toward his actions when they compare with the previous government, [which] was not using strong or aggressive action against Cambodia," said Titipol Phakdeewanich, a professor of political science at Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani University. PM Anutin has taken a much tougher tone on the border conflict than his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Thailand's Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn from office over a leaked phone call with veteran Cambodian leader Hun Sen in June. In the call, Paetongtarn referred to the elderly former dictator as "uncle," professed love and respect for him, and criticized her own military commanders considered a red line in a country where the military has significant clout. Memories of that call will make it hard for Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party, even under new leadership, to campaign effectively in the cu"
Early national elections are scheduled for February 8. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul triggered the vote amid a long-running territorial dispute with Cambodia that has turned deadly. Dozens of soldiers and civilians have died as heavy fighting over contested borders entered a second week. Parliament was dissolved with royal approval, allowing Anutin to avoid an imminent no-confidence vote. Rising nationalist sentiment appears to boost support for tougher government action on the border. A leaked phone call that led to Paetongtarn Shinawatra's removal from office has weakened her party's campaign prospects under new leadership.
Read at www.dw.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]