MFP fever grips Southeast Asia

The victory of the Move Forward Party in the general elections has raised new hopes for political change in the region, as experts hope that the rise of a progressive MFP-led government will help change the landscape of international relations in Southeast Asia. towards a more liberal democracy.

Popularity beyond the border

Popular support for the MFP and its charismatic prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat is not limited to Thailand, but also extends to a large group of young people in neighboring countries, particularly Laos and Myanmar.

In Burma, the cross border news He said many Burmese openly support the Move Forward Party and are closely monitoring the formation of the new government as they hope to see democracy restored in Myanmar.

“The Burmese had hopes of the Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai’s victory as it will inspire their movement and social change in their home country,” the @Thailand4Burma Twitter account under the pseudonym “Olivia,” the Burmese doctor who launched the civil disobedience movement. in Myanmar, she tweeted.

The MFP is also popular among Laotians, as Joseph Akaravong, an exiled Laotian political activist who sought refuge in France, said that many people in Laos, especially youth, have openly expressed their support for Pita and his party on social media. social.

Joseph said the Move Forward Party is seen as a symbol of hope for democracy. Many Laotians are frustrated with their own government and political system and yearn for political change.

“Our country is rich in natural resources, but due to severe corruption and lack of political freedom, almost all but a few elites are poor. We cannot oust the corrupt government, as Laos is a one-man communist state. party,” he said. .

“When we hear of the Move Forward Party’s victory against the military-backed regime under General Prayut Chan-o-cha and that the Thais will soon have a brilliant and handsome prime minister, it gives us hope for a similar democratic transition in our country”.

Joseph: Hope for Democracy

Admitting that he himself is also a fan of the Move Forward Party, he said that he started a Facebook page called “Move Down Party” that imitates the Move Forward Party’s style and logo to criticize the Lao government and tell it to “get down.” power

He said the phenomenon is still too new to bring about a substantial change in the political system of Laos.

“However, I think it is a clear indication of the growing discontent with the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the demand for political change,” he added.

Just Scroll Down: The Move Forward Party’s politics-inspired Facebook page created by Joseph Akaravong, an exiled political activist from Laos.

new foreign policy

Although the popularity of the Move Forward Party among Thailand’s neighbors is unlikely to lead to a strong political movement that could challenge the political status quo in these countries, ASEAN international relations and political experts agree that changes in Thailand’s foreign policy under the new government by the Avanza Party will be the great turning point in regional politics.

Given the Move Forward Party’s stance of supporting human rights and democracy, one likely shift in international relations will be the Thai government’s stance towards Myanmar’s military junta, which has ruled the country since the 2021 coup and has engaged in a bloody civil war against many resistance groups. .

The government under the Gen Prayut administration has close ties to the Myanmar junta. However, Move Forward Party leader Pita said the relationship with the Myanmar military will need to be reviewed under his rule.

Birds of a feather: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha meets Min Aung Hlaing, left, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar’s armed forces at Government House.

Since the MFP is firmly against the military dictatorship, the new government will stop engaging with the Myanmar junta and will boost humanitarian assistance to help those affected by the armed conflict.

He also vowed to work with all stakeholders in the Burmese Law to provide non-lethal aid to resistance movements and to help ensure that the Five Point Consensus (a plan to restore peace in Myanmar adopted by ASEAN members after of the 2021 Myanmar coup) is “actually accomplished”.

Anekchai Rueangrattanakorn, an international relations expert at Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of political science, said the MFP’s proposed U-turn in policy towards Myanmar will have profound effects on cross-border relations and the economy.

In response, the junta announced that the MFP will be listed as a pro-Western agent aiding terror groups in Myanmar and “alerted” troops to closely monitor the party’s activities, according to the junta. Irrawaddy News on May 22.

Anekchai said the junta already sees the party’s victory as a threat to the regime’s stability.

“Move Forward’s victory could inspire young Burmese to regain democracy and reform the army. It is a light at the end of Myanmar’s tunnel and suggests that the Burmese could achieve their own principle of self-determination. It also raises alarm for the Tatmadaw ( Myanmar military) that his power may be shaken by his close friend,” he said.

Anekchai: MFP labeled as pro-Western

Supalak Ganjanakhundee, visiting scholar at Thammasat University’s Pridi Banomyong International College, said the Pita administration may face an internal challenge from the Thai military, which has a long-standing relationship with the Myanmar military.

“Mr. Pita should keep in mind that Thailand’s foreign policy involves not only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also the military.

Pita must make it clear that it respects democratic principles, even for those who share different positions,” Supalak said.

However, he insisted that with the Move Forward Party in power, Thailand will have an excellent opportunity to regain its position as a champion of human rights and liberal democratic values ​​in Southeast Asia.

“As Thailand resumes its pro-democratic stance towards foreign relations and international politics, it will be the decisive factor that can lead to change in the geopolitical atmosphere in the region.

The mainstream voice in ASEAN may lean more to the pro-Western side. As such, if Thailand changes, others may feel more comfortable speaking in the same way, insisting that ASEAN should have a say in the Myanmar crisis, especially violations of Myanmar’s human rights and democracy.” said.

Supalak: Consider the role of the military

Meanwhile, as mainland Southeast Asia is part of a regional battle of wills between the US and China, Thailand could help balance power between these superpowers in the region.

As Laos struggles to address China’s monopoly on its economy, Thailand could help with cross-border economic investments to balance China’s power.