An upstart Thai political party has delivered a shocking blow to a royalist establishment that has suppressed democracy over the past two decades. Now the question is whether it can implement real change without a fight.
Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old Harvard-educated leader of Move Forward, staked his claim to becoming Thailand¡¯s prime minister after his party won the most seats and total votes in Sunday¡¯s election. The party was by far the most ideological in a field of politicians pledging populist handouts, standing alone among major groups in calling for changes to a law that restricts criticism of the nation¡¯s powerful monarchy.
Addressing reporters after the win, Pita vowed not to compromise in the push to change Article 112, a law known as lese-majeste that can put offenders behind bars for as many as 15 years if they¡¯re convicted of insulting 70-year-old King Maha Vajiralongkorn or several other top royals.
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