Forum Discusses Thailand's Political Transition (or Lack Thereof): Perspectives from 2023-2026
Thai political experts discussed how the country experienced two elections between 2023-2026 but failed to achieve meaningful democratic transition, with the rigid 2017 Constitution perpetuating the power structure established by the 2014 c
Matichon organized a forum titled "Change (Not) Through Thai Politics" with active participant engagement, examining the country's political history from 2023 to 2026.
At 3 PM on May 23, 2026, at the Faculty of Political Science at Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus, the Matichon network launched a book discussion forum for "Change (Not) Through Thai Politics 2023-2026," exchanging divergent political perspectives from the 2023-2026 period. Despite two democratic elections, the old political power structure persisted throughout the three-year period with no effective transition.
Panelists included Dr. Purwichai Wattanasuk, a political science lecturer at Thammasat University; Suranant Wetchachiva, former deputy prime minister's office minister; Nikorn Jamnong, Bhumjaithai party MP; Jaturont Chayaset, Move Forward party MP; and Pijarn Chaopatanawong, People's Party secretary-general.
Dr. Purwichai stated that while politics changes, whether it truly transitions is another matter—one must define what it transitions toward. If transitioning toward democracy, all three elections clearly show no change has occurred. However, politics, like other social phenomena, has its own dynamics.
He attributed the lack of transition to the 2014 coup being institutionalized through the 2017 Constitution, which was rigid, immovable, and unchangeable. This weakened political parties, expanded independent organizations' power, established a 20-year national strategy, and implemented a moral standards law that he sees growing increasingly stringent.
While the 2017 Constitution was designed to preserve the power order created by the coup, popular demands for change were reflected across three elections, but the structure prevented meaningful change. Therefore, continued struggle remains necessary during this period of incomplete transition.
Dr. Purwichai noted that while politics constantly changes, breaking through the 2017 Constitution to achieve actual change is difficult. Political transitions in society typically take generations, yet nothing remains frozen forever—gradual shifts continue occurring.
Suranant noted that politics changed the state's governance form but did not transition. What changed was how authoritarian power or the deep state maintains itself with greater variation. Thai politics operates on a patronage system where power struggles are essentially battles over patronage networks, visible today in central government power-holders and parliamentary mechanisms.
This patronage system spans all territorial and capital levels, including both chambers. Even after elections following normal procedures, the cycle continues unless citizens recognize this system doesn't serve the common good—which could eventually trigger change. However, he believes certain ceilings exist that keep power concentrated.
Jaturont stated that transition to true democracy remains distant, but rather transitions to a system where institutions and individuals unlinked to elections hold power exceeding sovereignty, with citizens unable to inspect them.
The significant change is obtaining a new Senate in 2026, known to result from precise management linked to political factions.
