The election was supposed to be about change. Three months ago, Thai voters propelled the progressive Move Forward Party to a surprise victory. “A new day for the people has arrived,” said Pita Limjaroenrat, the party leader, as he paraded through the streets of Bangkok.
On Tuesday, Thailand named a new prime minister, but it was not Mr. Pita. A coalition government was formed in Parliament, made up almost entirely of parties linked to the generals who led the last military coup. Move Forward is in the opposition.
Now, many Thais are asking why the future they had voted for is looking so much like the past.
“If you go around and talk to middle-class Thais at the moment, they’re saying: ‘What the hell did we have this election for, if this is the result that we get?’” said Christopher Baker, a historian of Thailand.
Thailand, Mr. Baker said, is giving up a chance to…
