Economic disparity, restoration of democracy, a determination to prevent undemocratic interventions in politics, and unravelling the political knot in Thailand are common issues that political heavyweights say their parties intend to tackle.
Gathering before a throng of university students to discuss their parties’ policies on Friday were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, strategy chief for Pheu Thai; Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva; Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit; Prachachon Patiroob (Reform People Party) leader Paiboon Nititawan; Bhumjaitai member Paradorn Prissanananthakul; and Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT) co-founder Jak Panchupetch.
However, Uttama Savanayana, the industry minister and leader of Palang Pracharath who was scheduled to attend the seminar, organised by the Kasetsart University Faculty of Social Science, did not come.
The politicians said impediments holding Thailand back, such as recurring street protests and coups, had left the nation trapped in a political quagmire. Wealth disparity and inequality were among the issues they raised to attract young voters, with every representative backing more equitable distribution of power.
Mr Abhisit, who served as prime minister from 2008-11, said the economic challenges Thais are facing were among his party’s main priorities Reolving the structural income disparity would be a good starting point, he said.
Addressing young voters, most of whom will be first-time voters, Khunying Sudarat urged them to cast their votes to uphold democratic values, adding that her party would open doors for new opportunities for younger generations.
Mr Jak of the ACT took a swipe at established parties by insinuating that in the past, people’s voices didn’t reach the power holders in parliament because parties were “owned” by politicians.
“When the party is owned, it’s a corporate entity under a politician’s name. It’s about time we create a party of the people which truly answers to the needs of people,” he argued.
Mr Thanathorn, whose party is often touted as speaking for the younger generation, said it was not the time to market parties’ policies yet since “policy marketing alone won’t fix the problems the country is facing”.
So far, he said, the policies of each party in general were similar but his party’s policy differed somewhat because Future Forward clearly advocates the prevention of the army’s intervention in politics.
Mr Paradorn of Bhumjaithai said Thai politics needs to lessen the state’s power and increase the people’s power, and that undemocratic forces in Thai politics need to be eradicated.
Discussing the prospect of a future without military coups, Khunying Sudarat said the vicious cycle of coups that had plagued Thailand for decades needed to be stopped.
The Pheu Thai veteran said democracy needs to be allowed to struggle on its own without having self-righteous “good people” who think they are better than others carrying out another coup.
“People and political parties need to join forces to safeguard democracy. We need to respect the vote, elections, parliament and democratic institutions,” she stressed.
However, Mr Paiboon of the Reform People Party, which backs Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha continuing as premier after the polls, argued that as long as politicians are corrupt, coups will prevail.