Why I remain hopeful despite Thailand’s fragile democracy

The writer shaking hands with his supporters at the Move Forward Party headquarters in Bangkok. — AP

IN Thailand, politics often prove stranger than fiction. Having won the majority of seats in last year’s general elections, my party and I found ourselves entangled in legal battles rather than governing as mandated by 14 million voters.

The Thai elite, through their institutionalised counter-majoritarian mechanisms, have accused us of attempting to overthrow the state. This sweeping charge stems from our proposal to amend Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, hoping to prevent its exploitation as a tool to silence political opponents and instil fear in critics.