Watershed Thai election is unlikely

Significance

The next election will be the first since the military, led by then general, now Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, deposed Yingluck Shinawatra’s administration in May 2014.

Impacts

• The prime minister’s Washington visit later this month will be portrayed as a pre-election display of foreign policy strength.
• The government will increase public investment for the remainder of this year, at least.
• This, it hopes, will maintain economic momentum, and strengthen the junta’s popular appeal.
• The post-election possibility of fresh political interventions by the military will concern investors.