How Thailand’s military establishment maintains its grip on power

Following a surprise victory at the polls a year ago, the progressive Move Forward party and its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, now face the ire of the military establishment. With attempts to charge Pita with treason and dissolve his party currently beginning in the Thai Constitutional Court, could this prove a fatal setback to efforts to establish real democracy in Thailand?
Guests:
Phongthep Thepkanjana
Former Thai Deputy Prime Minister
Kasit Piromya
Former Thai Foreign Minister
Phil Robertson
Human Rights and Labour Activist
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[@tarot4948]

I am so proud for Pita. He could be our Prime Minister of Thailand🇹🇭🇹🇭♥️ Love Move Forward Party from Thailand♥️🇹🇭🇹🇭🌏🌏🌏😘👏👏👏

[@polipop1113]

Could? He is.

[@josie3567]

He is smart a man.

[@L1485-b2j]

ไม่เห็นด้วยกับการยุบพรรคการเมืองที่มีประชาชน ลงคะแนนเลือกตั้งมาอย่างท่วมท้น พรรคก้าวไกลเป็นความหวังของการเมืองไทย อย่าทำลายเสียงสิทธิ์ของประชาชนในระบอบประชาธิปไตยนี้เลย

[@sootsaikam]

ใช่ครับ ถ้าพรรคฯ ไหนไม่ดี ประชาชนก็จะไม่เลือกและพรรคฯ ก็จะเสื่อมความนิยมหายไปเองครับ

[@IslamIsLikeAnorexia]

hopefully thailand doesn't end up like myanmar 😢 and preserves freedom and peace

[@foncheychin5157]

You’re the people’s true prime minister! We will support you all the way. 🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@sahpraphaphorn6240]

☘️👍

[@redheart332]

Before the election, the Moveforward Party received the approval from the election commission to run a campaign regarding the revision of 112 because the current 112 law allows anyone to misuse or use unfairly by simply accusation to eliminate the political opposition without any facts or evidence. Why then has the election commission asked the constitutional court to dissolve the Moveforward Party? What responsibility does the election commission have. When it went back on their own approval? The election commission is supposed to know the law of election and is responsible for over seeing the process.

[@Believe9856]

Completely agree with this comment. 👍👍

[@s.chaisrisuk4956]

Why dissolved? ‘Cos they hardened their campaign after the election. They step up hard line contents, so to be dissolved.

[@junemakeup39]

+1

[@Paloch1708]

Exactly, if the dissolution actually come through then the election commission will have absolutely violated article 157 as it's their duty to approve such campaign in the first place. But sadly, the constitutional court is just another tool by the name of the law and not a fair judge like it should be, we can only hope at this point.

[@abmong]

There is a way 112 can remain, but there needs to be change in who can enforce it. The Palace should be the only ones who can issue orders to the police when they want it enforced. 112 should not be allowed to be enforced unilaterally by the military or anyone else other than the Palace. If this can be done it should prevent the 112 law from being abused for political gain.

[@busayaphornboonta1488]

ฉันคนไทยที่ต้องการการเปลี่ยนแปลงในประเทศนี้โดยคุณพิธา❤

[@Bruce3949]

The irony of the law in Thailand is the fact that you would spend years in prison by simply expressing a mild criticism about the king, but murderers would be released in less than 6 years. The military and the king have supreme power. Many Thai who fled to Laos also were hunted down. No one can say anything about the king.

[@weerawansila4624]

We voted to change

[@anneprincesscat]

There is not justice in thailand😢

[@DT-gs3wi]

Welcome to America 🇺🇸

[@pix00l]

For the rich and powerful there is.......

[@chanonwisanmongkol2254]

@@pix00l Hall of justice painted green, money talking.

[@Believe9856]

Please respect my vote.!! And my party dissolution should not allow. 😡

[@ThailandTalks]

Please respect Thai's constitution. Thank you.

[@sen45600]

​@@ThailandTalksNah

[@weerawansila4624]

He could be our Prime Minister of Thailand ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@belovegems]

Yes Pita could have been our elected Prime Minister by now BUT …………(too risky to say but TH people know the reason ) foreign social media only see from the surface, the issue is way more in-depth that makes me crying for TH people.😢😢😢

[@punngenthai]

ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ คือเครื่องมือของฝ่ายอนุรักษ์นิยมที่ทหารสร้างขึ้นมาเพื่อกำจัดคนรุ่นใหมที่มีความคิดก้าวหน้า

[@boonluannachom]

ใช่ครับ

[@pechpimolmaneerat683]

ศาลที่ไม่ใช่ศาล

[@amethystrung2740]

ประสาทแดกเหรอมึง เพ้ออะไร

[@wanchaiti]

ถ้าศาลให้คุณก็บอกว่ายุติธรรม ขำดี

[@blemminiizama5040]

@@wanchaiti ศาลก็ให้คุณตลอดอยู่แล้วครับ แต่ให้คุณกับพวกฝ่ายเผด็จการ

[@punsimpun8037]

I vote for Move forward Party.

[@ooearning9238]

Great interview. The interviewer did her homework well. Thanks for inviting Phil Robertson. He has great knowledge of human rights issues in Thailand. Too bad, there’s no representative from Move Forward party ie. leaders of Future Forward party, (when they have rep. from Peau Thai). Kasit is one of those conservative pro monarch groups. They were the ones that contributed to military coups. Change will come. You can’t stop the clock from moving forward!

[@app7935]

🧡🧡🧡Mr.Pitha ist der Premierminister den das Volk gewählt hat🍊🍊🍊

[@app7935]

@@thikumpronnakkrad3911 ja ja

[@thikumpronnakkrad3911]

@@app7935 👍👍👍👍👍

[@thimmee.948]

14 millions votes not even half of 51 millions.

[@กษิ-ล4ธ]

We do not agree with the dissolution of the party.

[@namfon4777]

Respect our vote ! Pita is our Prime Minister

[@paisarnlee951]

the junta is using Myanma and Cambodia model to rule this country.

[@oiloiloil893]

We won't give up. Let's move forward. 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡👍👍👍

[@suntheabtham3538]

I am so proud for Move Forward party.

[@Pechko-c1s]

ประเทศเราไม่ได้มีประชาธิปไตยที่แท้จริง เป็นเพียงภาพหลอกเท่านั้น

[@pattanapichaisaensingreeki959]

Absolutely monarchy behind the scenes

[@ryankeo9481]

@@pattanapichaisaensingreeki959you’re absolutely right 😢

[@nuntapongkaew556]

เราไม่ยอมให้ยุบพรรคเก้าไกล

[@gigijt9049]

เลือก ก้าวไกล จนตายจาก DNA อนาคตใหม่ ประเทศไทย ต้องเปลี่ยน 🧡🧡🧡🔥🔥🔥🙌🙌🙌

[@THIP-s9c]

ปชช.เลือก กก.14ล้านเสียง สว.ทหาร กลับมาเลือก พท.ปท เสียหายหมดแล้ว ออกไปได้แล้ว ไม่ให้ กกต.ยัดคดี ใส่ร้าย ก้าวไกล

[@jewmashi]

I wish other countries in this world help Thailand by keeping their eyes on Thai government, law enforcement, and how they will try to shut down opposition party. I truly hope that one day Thailand will have real democracy.

[@tonl4498]

I don't want other countries to do anything. Do not speak for every ppl in our country. You are not our representative.

[@Believe9856]

Thank you for your calling out for my country.

[@maruding3186]

ใช้ประเทศอื่นควรกดดันให้ประเทศไทยอยู่ในร่องในรอย

[@yodb4l502]

You are an idiot... 🇹🇭.. Do you want the idiot United States telling how to run the country of Thailand?

[@BeekicchinDaidocoro]

There is no real democracy in a democratic world

[@wnuch_suwsri8653]

นายกในฝันของประชาชน 14ล้านเสียง 🧡🧡🕊️

[@jametask5325]

We waiting for the change in Thailand, go Thailand go. Freedom of life freedom of speech, no more control by military and businessmen and no more corruption. Go Thailand go. Move forward party only we need.

[@jiraphanvimolratna4462]

รักรักรัก นายกพิธา🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@wnuch_suwsri8653]

นายกในฝันของประชาชน 14ล้านเสียง🧡🧡🧡🕊️💞

[@Jadsoncb]

I’m Thai: We trust ‘Move Forward Party’ that they really are fighting for ‘people’s equal right and safety’.

[@ramatgan1]

This party is funded by the CIA NED Foundation.

[@kanchanaboonmoa5305]

ฉันไม่เห็นด้วยกับการยุบพรรค ก้าวไกล

[@Larisasunjourney]

Thailand is not allowed to develop. 112 section needs to be abolished not using against people who have different views or beliefs...this is 2024.

[@junemakeup39]

Pita สง่างาม

[@Mikomido5]

The Thai military has the support from the monarchy so it’ll be quite a challenge to overcome.

[@Wari94]

He is the Prime Minister.. ❤️🧡 I never agreed with the dissolution of the party...I don't agree...

[@Prasert-ub3tl]

Phil Robertson explain it very clearly.

[@BB25634]

My voted Pita for PM Of Thailand

[@iamawoman2220]

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡i love Pita and his team🌷🌷🌷

[@TuiThutik]

คนไทยต้องเลิกหลอกตัวเองก่อนว่า ประชาธิปไตยเรามันก็ไม่ได้ดีไปกว่าประเทศที่เราว่าเขาทั้งนั้น แล้วดูว่าผู้มีอำนาจจะดื้อด้านไปถึงไหน อยากจบแบบไหน

[@patriotth1453]

อีกสิ่งนึงที่ต้องยอมรับความจริงก็คือ ตราบใดที่ประชาชนไร้อาวุธ หรือมีไม่ถึง 10% ของประชากร เผด็จการที่มีทั้งกำลังทหาร กองเรือ/อากาศ/และยานเกราะ และเจ้าสัวหนุนหลัง ก็จะยังคงอยู่ตลอดไป คนไทยหลอกตัวเองไปวันๆ ใช่ หลอกตัวเองว่าจะชนะเผด็จการ เอ้า ละไหนล่ะอาวุธจะเอาชนะ?

[@woodyexplorer]

The Progressive party vowed to support the rule of Thailand by politicians alone with no other powers to balance. Looking from the past experience of Thai politics this will be a disaster. It is too naive to think that politicians will ever be clean, not playing favoritism, nor holding grip on power.

[@onlybff]

No human rights in Thailand

[@fridaynigth7585]

ไม่เห็นด้วยกับการยุบพรรคที่ประชาชนเลือกมา ไม่ว่าจะเป็นพรรคการเมืองใดก็ตาม

[@natsu.p]

He and his party are the most popular choice in the recent Thailand election. Unfortunately, they should be the Thai government, but the laws and dictatorship have deprived the Thai people of their rights. Please respect my vote.

[@redheart332]

It may seem to the outsider that Thailand has no hope, but there are positive changes have been implemented. Any change take some time and may be gradual; especially, the change that deals cultural or laws. Thailand is still a great country with kind and generous people and easy going personalities that tolerate and accept others with different backgrounds. The problem right now is Thailand has a group of bad foreign from China and Russia come live in Thailand while committed crimes between Burma, Cambodia, Taiwan, China, Laos.

[@petetpk3436]

Will Ms. Andrea Sanke explain to me & other interested people What is Real Democracy and Which countries in the world that have Real Democracy?

[@modrenaeh]

ประชาชนเลือกใคร ก็ไม่ได้ ประชาธิปไตยตรงไหน

[@vassanakasiri69]

Pita​ is​ the​ best

[@redheart332]

The people speak without knowing the facts or not have the right to vote. The best thing to do is for Thai people go vote for the government of their preference. Bad mouthing is only given an opportunity for the outsider to divide Thai people.

[@ewwmonsri]

This is not acceptable. As Thai, I absolutely disagree with this dissolution of Moveforward Party.

[@AmpornKunyuang]

Change will come👆hope I live long enough to see it, for the country and all Thai citizens💙🙏✌️. You-journalists help bring the fact to everyone attention, thank you 🤗

[@dollayasirithongsuk2812]

🧡🇹🇭✌️✌️✌️

[@hyperdog13a]

I voted for dissolution of monarchy system

[@Iamthaiperson]

Pita , he is the best. He should to be Prime minister since he got win elected.🧡🧡🧡Not fair with him.

[@somchityainork4733]

พลังมืดมันเยอะปทนี้

[@snowynight6225]

I voted for future forward party and then move forward party. The dissolution of these two parties as well as Thai Ruk Thai and People Power party in the past obviously demonstrates the dependency and unfairness of Thai political and legal system.

[@Kaoniao]

It is also in the DNA of many people that when they come to power and money that they change their attitudes or values as well. The generations 40 years and up were mostly educated to respect your teachers, parents and elders in society. But now we get genderized educated youth, and they may have other interests as politics.

[@ในที่สุดก็มีวันนี้]

There are many youths in prison because of different opinions in Thailand.

[@sundancekick9359]

❤❤❤❤❤MFP❤❤❤❤

[@insomnica6258]

I can describe Thai politics as the elephant in the room issues.

[@jinjaakee.1252]

He is my Prime minister only, ❤ sure l m Thai.

[@จางมันวอน]

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@pogpagkung]

Pitha is the Prime Minister.

[@totega]

As long as the system can maintain its inflation and currency value, I would not called it a problem.

[@abmong]

The situation isn't ideal, but it was the most realistic, compromised outcome. The entrenched military establishment was never going to completely relinquish power without covering their exit. The coup leaders wasn't going to allow the Move Forward Party to drag them through the courts for the coup. But realizing their position was untenable, the ex-Junta turned to make deals with their old enemy, the Taksin successor party to allow the military to save face and back out of politics without prosecutions being pursued against them. It's sweeping stuff under the carpet for the sake of peace. At least Thailand now has more or less returned to a functioning democracy. The alternative would've been the Military digging themselves in further, resulting violence against anti-coup public, a situation that could've spiraled out of control. Not as bad as across the border in Myanmar, but it still wouldn't have been good. The thing to do now is the try to get the remaining claws of the military out of politics and prevent future coups. Only then could we hope to see a Move Forward-like Party in power. Because at the moment the elites are too conservative to ever allow that, and the military doesn't have anything to do other than dream about coups... Generals should be sent to do UN peace keeping missions or something instead of sitting in country to keep them occupied and less interested in politics.

[@พิมลศิริอนันตกูล]

🧡🍊🧡🍊🧡🍊

[@ชาลีวัฒนวรรณะ]

Pita..the 1 and only .

[@attha2]

as a politician, he told partial truth 😂😂😂

[@LoveLove-ic4mh]

❤❤❤

[@pongrabbit4460]

Even His party got no 1. But less than 50 % of parliament . To be PM shall be vote in the parliament according constitution which has been voted by majority of thai people .

[@whitwhit276]

Thai "people" love the Move Forward party, and want Mr. Pitha as Prime Minister. Problem is the power-that-be who cling to power at all cost see it differently.

[@SpeedDeVa]

555 สงสัยโดยยุบแน่ๆ ถึงขั้นเอเจนซี่

[@tchadawa]

❤❤

[@chaiyachaiya5547]

ออกข่าวต่างประเทศด้วย😮

[@keatkimheng]

Where are Human rights and democracy in Thailand, America ? Haha

[@gorgeousgorgeous3884]

We're Love k.k.And Very for proud Pita

[@WillSmith-hl3ct]

holy crap my comment got taken down twice now lol

[@nuttermoses1664]

Pita is such a joke with many many lies from his mouth.

[@suthidawestwood4440]

Not true!

[@piabkk4453]

Ni l'un, ni l'autre

[@GunSangtong]

Kasit is always nonsense word he understands thai political better then anyone but he speaks for half facts

[@deviin1534]

Only former yellow puppet

[@Skipbeat1942]

😂Thailand softpower

[@BeekicchinDaidocoro]

😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@chanonwisanmongkol2254]

Tai (ไท) means liberty. Thai (ไทย) is country that never have a real liberty because of “ย” which refers to a giant or ogre and it’s controlling in the back.

[@madcatratteesud3159]

❤😂🎉

[@orangeissoftpower]

Soft power 😂😂😂😂😂😂🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

[@ศิวดลธนทรัพย์ไพศาล]

But..they(cop) never win democratics people.😊

[@siripornpetcharatana6736]

military sucks 😮

[@WillSmith-hl3ct]

all of his donors come from the united states. he went to school in the united states in massachusetts. when he failed to get elected last time he immediately flew to the united states. hes one of ours lol

[@redheart332]

No facts to back up your claim

[@WillSmith-hl3ct]

@@redheart332 its all easily accessible on the internet. just google who funds the move forward party in Thailand. You'll see every donor and how much they donated. they are all from the united states. where he went to school and him making all those trips to washington are just as easily found. seems like you just dont want facts.

[@WillSmith-hl3ct]

@@redheart332 you just have to google it. very simple, doesnt look like you want these facts to be shown.

[@truthseeker232]

MFP the radical party ! The party admires the "man" of revolution 1932 who fled to communist China under Mao and lived there for 21 years. What is democracy for MFP? It's a kind of communist democracy. Due to this, they have intended to abolish the monarchy.

[@kiattim2100]

lol, straight out of your arse.

[@TTermb]

It's outdated to throw communist accusations to political oppositions. Grow up and use facts in your arguments.

[@truthseeker232]

@@TTermb I call it a "communist democracy" as of their hostile action to the monarchy. Some years ago a group of people applied for a registration of a political party under the name "Communist party of Thailand" , but they were not granted permission to register the name according to the election law.

[@TTermb]

@@truthseeker232 the monarchy is so weak-minded that some kids bad mouthing it is hostile to the conservatives.

[@kiattim2100]

​@@truthseeker232Man must have tissue for skin if you think changing one single law to prevent Political Party from abusing Les Majeste law to attack their opposition is considered "Hostile towards Monarchy"

[@Verse.Instinct]

You know what 63 millions of Thai people didn't voted for MFP. WHAT ABOUT THE RIGHT OF THEM. The 63 millions do need the realistic political party not just A POLITICAL CONTENT CREATOR PARTY.

[@wanchaiti]

The representative of lies and lies Fortunately, the country is waiting to be freed from people who like to lie.

[@parkjoy830]

“THAILAND is the land of compromise” Thai’s king said 🤡

[@ployployployploy2946]

Thank U❤

[@stevethom407]

i have been in thailand for 15 years and i love the country but it has gone backwards since i have been here

[@AnanNanAnanNan]

แหมมมมม พงศ์เทพ ผมชาวบ้านธรรมดายังรู้เลยว่ามินอ่องหล่ายเป็นลูกบุญธรรมพลเอกเปรม Why Pongthep is here?. Im an ordinary Thai person, we know Min Aung Lai is very close to our military, he is a protege of Thai former Junta prime minister, even our banks support the Myanmar dictator government.

[@Vladteemia_Gufin]

ศาลรัฐธรรมนูน มาจากไหน ? where is ”ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ“ come from ?

[@titiwin7562]

ทั้งโลกเค้ารู้ว่าประเทศไทยไม่ใช่ประชาธิปไตย😅

[@First-z3j]

นักข่าวเปรียบไทยเป็นปากีสถานเนี่ยนะมันเกินไปหน่อยนะสงสัยจะเสพข่าวด้านลบไทยเยอะไป

[@pattanapichaisaensingreeki959]

We are not far from Pakistan how many coups we got

[@First-z3j]

@@pattanapichaisaensingreeki959 แต่มันก็ไม่ควรคิดลบเกินไปอย่างน้อยตอนนี้ก็ไม่ใช่นายกจากการยึดอำนาจแล้วประเทศไทยไม่จนหิวอดอยากเหมือนปากีสถานนะแถมไทยไม่มีสงครามนองเลือด