Rise of Thailand’s youth party reflects still potent protest demands

FILE PHOTO: Move Forward Party supporters show the three-finger salute during an upcoming election campaign event in Bangkok, Thailand, April 22, 2023. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai university student Supawut Presangeiam is eager to vote for the first time in a general election on Sunday, hoping that his support for a rising youth-led opposition party will change the country by moving away from old patronage politics.

"I have decided to vote for Move Forward," the 19-year-old Supawut said. "For too long we have compromised, trying to change the system gradually, but what Move Forward wants to do is to challenge the patronage system."