In Thailand, youth activism is reshaping the political landscape. The progressive Move Forward Party, which champions youth-centric reform, recently won the most seats in the election. Yet, Pita Limjaroenrat, their leader, has been prevented from becoming Prime Minister due to the military-influenced parliamentary system. The clash between the traditional power structures and youthful progressive demands, heightened by controversy around laws forbidding monarchy criticism, has sparked public outcry. With youth at the heart of this political tug-of-war and protests on the horizon, their continued activism has the potential to redefine the future of Thai politics.
Pita Limjaroenrat, a distinguished Harvard graduate with robust business experience as the executive director of CEO Agrifood and Grab Thailand, transitioned into politics in 2019. His political interest can be traced back to his familial ties, as he is the eldest son of a former advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the nephew of a close aide to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Unlike his precursors, Pita set his own path by challenging established norms and traditional power structures to instigate more significant changes in Thai politics, which has been underpinned by the growing political engagement of the Thai youth.
Youth Involvement in Thai Politics
The footprints of youth involvement in Thai politics are entrenched in history as pivotal moments in transformative change. As early as 1932, the transition from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy was led by the People’s Party, which was made up of young intellectuals and military officers. Fast forward to the 1970s, Thai university students, termed nakrian, became politically active, challenging the prevailing military dictatorship and advocating for democratic principles. In 1973, students from Thammasat University, one of Thailand’s eminent universities, launched a significant protest that overthrew the Thanom government.
The 2023 election stands as a testament to the stronger influence of youth voters and youth-led campaigning. Surprisingly, the Move Forward Party, which has resonated strongly with young constituents, was projected to secure 114 of 400 constituency seats in the House of Representatives, eclipsing the Pheu Thai Party’s 112 seats, which had held the most seats in every election since 2001. This outcome, undeniably shaped by the rising tide of youth activism, underscores the role of young Thais in forging the nation’s political destiny.
The Rise of Move Forward Party
The Move Forward Party emerged as a force promising to dismantle monopolies, cease military conscription, remove military influence from politics, and revise the stringent law barring criticism of the monarchy. These pledges align not just with the democratic ethos but specifically with the aspirations of the young, who are eager for change and political renewal.
These policies include noteworthy reforms such as legalizing same-sex marriage, advocating economic equality, implementing social welfare programs, decentralizing government, and abolishing military conscription. The party also seeks a referendum on rewriting the constitution, which could fundamentally alter the country’s political landscape, and has daringly called for the reform of the monarchy. It advocates an amendment to Thailand’s strict lèse-majesté laws and has pledged to scrutinize the royal budget, actions that are largely unprecedented in Thai political history.
The party has promoted the articulation of issues previously considered taboo into mainstream dialogue and has captured the spirit of a younger generation eager to see their values reflected in their nation’s policies. These youth-oriented policies demonstrate an astute understanding of the zeitgeist, propelling the party to the forefront of Thai politics. The evolving dynamics of youth activism and the rise of parties like Move Forward augur an intriguing future for the political scene in Thailand.
Youth Activism: Reshaping Political Terrain
Researcher Lee Jeong Woo from Korea University (KU) Asiatic Research Institute’s examination of Thai youth activism offers profound insights into its unique nature and transformative potential. Unlike their counterparts in the Arabic world, Thai youth activists fuse online liberal socialization with tangible political actions. Their adept use of peaceful symbolic campaigns, amplified through social media, coupled with their strategic support for politically resonant parties like Kawklai (Move Forward Party), has reshaped Thailand’s political terrain. Such an approach stands in contrast to global trends, where youth activism often remains confined to street protests or online platforms. Furthermore, despite the looming shadow of the monarchy and stringent expression laws, Thai youth have been resilient, underpinned by a critical education system that prompts them to question societal norms. In essence, their blend of online mobilization and political alliance-building signifies a trailblazing model of activism, effectively altering Thailand’s political landscape.
This transformation in Thailand resonates with the seismic tremors of youth-led protests around the world, which have strongly impacted public sentiment and policy on Thai soil and far beyond. Internationally, movements such as “Fridays for Future”, initiated by the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have successfully propelled climate change to the forefront of political agendas. Similarly, Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement, sparked by youth resistance against the perceived erosion of democratic freedoms in 2014, gained global attention and bolstered public sentiment toward democracy. In South Africa, following a surge in gender-based violence, youth activists launched the #AmINext campaign in 2019, prompting the government to declare an emergency action plan to curb gender-based violence.
In the evolving landscape of Thai politics, youth activism represents a transformative force, signifying a broader societal shift that challenges traditional structures while fostering progressive reform. However, this journey faces a number of challenges. The inevitable tension between age-old power structures and the progressive demands of youth will be amplified, requiring resilience and adaptability from youth-oriented parties like the Move Forward Party. Additionally, there is a pressing need to convert this surge of youthful energy into sustained participation and meaningful policy changes, striking a delicate balance between idealism and real-world political pragmatism. Thus, this rise of youth activism is not a mere passing trend; it marks a profound shift that could potentially usher in a fresh era of Thai politics, one that values diversity, endorses change, and advocates for equality.