We all should have been celebrating. The celebration should have started the night of the election when the Democratic Alliance, led by the Move Forward Party, claimed victory. I still vividly remember that night’s energy—people thronging the streets, social media posts celebrating progress’s triumph over fear and intimidation, and even my friends marveling at how the Move Forward Party had achieved the impossible.
However, in post-junta Thailand, where barriers to progress have been strategically erected, we all held our breath. We were acutely aware that those in power weren’t keen on letting go.
Subsequently, we were hit with setbacks: the Move Forward Party losing the Speaker of the House, Pita Limjaroenrat’s lawsuit and subsequent suspension from parliament, and now, despite winning the popular vote, the democratically-elected party won’t be forming the government.
Now, some cynics argue, “Thailand’s too conservative,” or, “Thailand’s not ready for change.” Such views are overly simplistic. Making these claims negates our prior efforts towards progress—the clear evidence of our capacity for change in the pursuit of equality. It overlooks the 1932 revolution when we, the people, transformed our nation into a constitutional monarchy, securing the power to influence our country’s destiny. It disregards the popular uprising of 1973, when we stood up against dictators manipulating the constitutional monarchy for their gain.
On election day, we overwhelmingly demonstrated our persistent hunger for progress. While many of us voted for the Move Forward Party, our votes symbolized far more. We cast our ballots not just for a party but for women’s rights, LGBT rights, indigenous rights, the environment, our children, decentralization, democratization, and so much more.
We voted for progress. We voted for a more equal Thailand.
Because Thailand is defined by her people, her progressive people, she remains a fundamentally progressive nation. Our grandparents manifested this in 1932, and our parents in 1974. We may not have clinched this election, but our struggle continues. There will be more elections, and there’s much groundwork ahead. We cannot, and must not, waver in our faith in progress. Our future generations will witness our relentless pursuit of equality, no matter the hurdles.
So, for now, as my friends gently reminded me post-Election Day, we’ll “ha korng aroi aroi kin” (nourish our souls with food), stand united, and advocate for one another.
Our journey toward progress might be long, but united, we’ll reach our destination.