Pro-democracy People's party leads polls ahead of Thailand election

People's party is leading opinion polls ahead of Sunday’s election, but it faces coalition challenges and ongoing legal investigations linked to its predecessor, Move Forward.

People's party is leading opinion polls ahead of the upcoming election in Thailand. Its leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, has been campaigning to urban and young voters and drawing large crowds. The party grew from the Move Forward movement, which won the most seats in 2023 but was later blocked from power and dissolved by the constitutional court. Legal cases and investigations continue to hang over former Move Forward members and some party figures. Key facts: - The party is reported to lead opinion polls but is not expected to win an outright majority. - Voters will elect 400 constituency seats and 100 party-list seats, and will also vote on whether to draft a new constitution. - Move Forward, the predecessor, was blocked by military-appointed senators and was later dissolved by the constitutional court over its pledge to reform the lese-majesty law. - Around 44 former Move Forward lawmakers, including Natthaphong, are being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission; the party has dropped the lese-majesty reform policy. - Main rivals include incumbent prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai, said to have backing from royalist military conservatives, and Pheu Thai, which remains a powerful force linked to Thaksin Shinawatra. - The People's party draws strong support from young and urban voters and emphasises tackling corruption and pursuing structural economic reforms. Summary: The party’s poll lead reflects significant youth and urban support, but coalition formation and legal uncertainty are likely to shape post-election outcomes. The immediate next step is the election on Sunday, followed by efforts by parties to form a government and the potential continuation of legal proceedings.