Thailand elections

The island, a traditional stronghold of conservative and military-aligned parties, has fallen to Pita Limjaroenrat's orange wave.

The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration stated that the Move Forward Party's victory "must not be ruined" by the military-appointed Senate.

Eight parties have now agreed to join the MFP-led coalition, leader Pita Limjaroenrat said, while outreach to other parties is ongoing.

The self-exiled leader has praised the progressive party's dynamic campaign, but could still end up exercising a strong influence over Thailand's next government.

It's not a question of whether the establishment will play spoiler, but of when and how.

MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat says that the party plans to form a coalition government with five other parties.

The progressive Move Forward Party is poised for a stunning win in Sunday’s vote, but its ability to form the next government is far from guaranteed.

Whatever the result, this week's election is unlikely to resolve the contradiction that has produced a state of rolling crisis in the country's politics.

The ex-leader's announcement that he wants to return to Thailand after the May 14 polls is political risky and potentially destabilizing.

With two opposition parties leading in pre-election polls, the country's conservative establishment is reportedly considering drastic measures to keep them out of power.

Since the 2014 coup, the country's international activities have been conservative and narrowly conceived.

The Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties both want the military out of power, but how far will that bind them once the post-election horse-trading begins?