As May 14 polls loom, Thais once again wish for a more democratic future

[BANGKOK] Thailand heads to the polls on May 14 for a hotly contested general election that many voters hope will go some way towards restoring democracy in South-east Asia’s second-largest economy.

Thailand has a long history of coups that have destabilised the political scene to varying degrees, with at least 13 successful ones since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. The most recent coup took place in 2014, led by current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha – the army chief at that time – that resulted in the government under Yingluck Shinawatra being forced out.

This year, there is another Shinawatra in the mix – Yingluck’s niece Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra. The 36-year-old Paetongtarn, who is likely to be the Pheu Thai Party’s nominee for prime minister, will square off against military-linked candidates at the polls, including Prayut.