Thailand held an election on 14 May after nearly a decade of military and royalist-backed rule following the May 2014 coup. The two main opposition parties, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, won the most seats, paving the way for a return to pro-democracy rule. Despite their landslide victory, their path to power remains uncertain a month after the election. Political institutions, including the military-appointed Senate, Constitutional Court, and Election Commission, remain key to the power shift in Thailand's political landscape.
In addition to a record voter turnout of over 75%, demonstrating the Thai people's high interest in changing the future of the country, the 2023 election has also shown how social media is no longer an alternative channel for campaigning and mobilising supporters, but it becomes a main motor in empowerment of the sense of active citizenship, and it is seen as a key role leading to the victory of the Moving Forward Party. Social media has also played another key role for supporters of different parties to find solidarity and make their opinions seen and heard.
In our workshop, we will discuss the aftermath of Thailand's 2023 election and also provide an update and insights on how the situation is likely to evolve. Apart from the question of whether and how the opposition party will be able to take power under an authoritarian election, the workshop will focus on the future of Thai political refugees living abroad and the role of political fandoms on social media from an intersectional feminist perspective.
The workshop will be held on 07 July 2023 from 10:00 to 13:00.