Because the Thai government is too close to Beijing, the pro-US opposition in the Southeast Asian country is getting support from the United States. Clear electoral interference.
When it comes to foreign powers interfering in their own elections, Washington is usually not particularly pleased. This is shown by the allegations, which have been going on for years, that Moscow and Beijing would use their influence to bring candidates they like to power. But in the opposite case – interfering in elections abroad – one is less squeamish.
This is also shown by the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Thailand in May. The second largest economy in the ASEAN group with around 70 million inhabitants is highly industrialized and also strategically important. But like some other countries on China’s periphery, the Thai government maintains relatively good relations with its large neighbor. After all, economic ties are strong and Chinese tourists are considered an important backbone of the country’s foreign trade.
But as in other countries in the region, Washington is trying to bring to power a political squad that takes a tougher, more distanced stance towards the People’s Republic of China and, above all, supports US interests in containing the Middle Kingdom. In addition, Thailand is an important voice within ASEAN, so that a pro-American government there can also influence the common policy of the Southeast Asian group of states accordingly.
A detailed and well-founded report by a Thailand-based journalist makes it clear how much Washington is trying to help the pro-American opposition with money and media support. Among them is the Pheu Thai party of the country’s billionaire and former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. A staunch friend of the United States who, during his 2001-06 tenure, also sent Thai troops to Iraq in support of the US, allowed US troops to use its own territory, and attempted to push through a free trade agreement without parliamentary approval. The party’s official leadership is held by his daughter, Paethongtarn Shinawatra, who is also the only female top candidate from the country’s major parties.
The US also supports Move Forward, the latest variant of billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangki’s political party. Move Forward and its predecessor Future Forward have worked alongside Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party both at the ballot box and on the streets (that is, during the violent anti-government protests of 2008 and 2009).
According to polls, the Pheu Thai could even achieve a landslide victory. The last published poll from the end of December 2022 showed it at around 43 percent – double the 2019 elections. With around 17 percent of the vote, Move Forward could roughly match the result of the last general election. The ruling party, the Phalang Pracharat Party, is threatened with a bitter defeat. US efforts to bring about a change of government could thus be successful.