This time the ruling junta has written new election rules aimed at curbing the number of seats big parties -- specifically Pheu Thai -- can win. Pheu Thai is expected to again sweep up the north and northeastern heartlands as it seeks to head an anti-junta coalition. A 250-member junta-appointed senate and a new proportional system were meant to have manoeuvered Prayut and the junta party -- Phalang Pracharat -- into pole position. Pheu Thai, however, needs 376 lower house seats to command an overall majority -- near impossible without complex tie-ups across pro-democracy factions. But Pheu Thai lacks star power without the Shinawatra duo in the running and many younger voters are enamoured by telegenic billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

Source: Standard Digital March 24, 2019 05:37 UTC