How Military Has a Thumb on Scales in Thai Election

Thailand is heading into a general election — the second since a 2014 putsch — with a group of ex-generals and their associated parties seeking to extend their nearly a decade-long reign. The former coup leaders have a clear head start before even a single vote is cast, as they enjoy the support of their handpicked Senate, which plays a big role in determining the next prime minister. Still, voters are unhappy about the soaring cost of living and record household debt in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Young people have also become more vocal in their demands for better jobs and more freedom of expression. Such hot-button issues, on top of changes to voting rules, might give the opposition a better shot this time at ousting Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha and his pro-establishment regime.