For Thailand's popular progressives, winning the vote is only the first hurdle

Thailand's People's Party, a progressive group with popular support, is vying for power in the upcoming election. The party, led by figures like Suttasitt "Macky" Pottasak, utilizes social media and appeals to younger voters with promises to address long-standing issues. Despite strong polling numbers, the party faces significant hurdles due to Thailand's political landscape. In the previous election, the progressive Move Forward party won but was blocked from forming a government by conservative forces, including the unelected senate and the constitutional court, which ultimately dissolved the party. The People's Party, under leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, hopes to overcome these challenges and implement reforms, but the power of conservative institutions remains a major obstacle.

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