What Thailand’s Election Outcome May Mean for Military, Monarchy

  • Focus turns to pro-democracy groups forming coalition
  • Analysts expect weeks of jockeying before premier is chosen
A record number of Thais voted in the 2023 election.Photographer: Luke Duggleby/Bloomberg
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Pro-democracy groups in Thailand have made a stunning political comeback after nine years of rule by the conservative military-backed bloc helmed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

The next leader faces challenges including steering the future of the $506 billion economy that counts China as its largest trading partner while navigating US and Asean relations. Also at stake is the fate of one of Asia’s worst-performing stock markets and the revival of Thailand’s key tourism sector.