Thailand prepares for its first elections since the 2014 military coup with a new weakened system to allow the military to continue to play a strong role in the country’s governing.
Up to 52 million Thais are eligible to vote this year in the polls on March 24th, which will be the first under the new constitution created by the military.
Political scientists are skeptical this will improve political division, as most parties need to achieve 376 seats to secure power, the pro-military party Phalang Pracharat may only need to secure only 126. Thailand has struggled to overcome deep-rooted political divisions since 2001.