Thailand Pro-Democracy Candidates Push to Break Military Grip in Election

A Pheu Thai member wearing a cap with a picture of the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin. Photo: rungroj yongrit/EPA/Shutterstock

The country's promilitary establishment has been in power for nearly a decade. But pro-democracy forces are trying to take back control.

Thailand has been a source of political turmoil for many years. According to those who oppose the government, Thailand is a symbol of democracy's decline. Former army leader Prayuth -ocha led a coup in 2014 and oversaw the writing a new constitution, which was widely viewed as a way to give the military political legitimacy. This paved the path for Mr. Prayuth's election as the country’s prime minister following the 2019 national elections.