Thailand Elections 2023: Days ahead of voting, army chief promises not to stage coup

Thailand's army chief General Narongpan Jitkaewthae has pledged not to stage a coup as political parties gear up for election on Sunday that could see the military-backed government getting voted out.General Jitkaewthae made the promise despite the army seizing power a dozen times in Thailand in the past century, most recently in 2014.

Thailand seems to be strongly heading for a political change, but the army leader has sworn not to attempt a coup. This comes as all political parties are preparing for their final campaigns ahead of an election in which the military-backed government might be deposed. General Naorgnpan Jitkaewthae made the commitment on Thursday.

Recalling previous coups as "very negative," he assured reporters that there would be no return to military control. He said, "There shouldn’t be (a coup) any more. For me, this word should be deleted from the dictionary."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The army has captured power a dozen times in Thailand, most recently in 2014. But this time, voters are expected to hand the former army chief and coup leader Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha a crushing defeat, reports FirstPost.

Votingwill be held on Sunday (May 14). The clash is between the opposition led by Paetongtarn Shinawatrai, daughter of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and the conservative royalist-military establishment led by PM Prayut.

Watch |Thailand Elections 2023: Opinion polls show an opposition landslide

Currently, Thai is well ahead in the polls but just winning most seats in the lower house givesno guarantee of claiming power as thenew Prime Minister will be chosen by the 500 elected MPs and 250-strong senate members who were appointed by Prayut's junta.

The Pheu Thai party is urging supporters to deliver a landslide victory to stop the military from keeping them out of power. While Prayut has mentioned himself as the 'man with experience' needed to helpthe country through its difficulttimes, according to many he has ignored economic stagnation besides a massive spike in the draconian royal defamation laws.

Even the main opposition rival to the Pheu Thaiparty has already harnessed much of the energy of the youth who led a protest movement voicing dissatisfaction and disaffection with the old political system.

Back in 2020, almost 200 people were charged for insulting the monarch in the wake of protests.

The country in the last two decades has witnessed several street protests, coups and court orders dissolving political parties.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.