In the 2023 parliamentary elections in Thailand, voters delivered a resounding call for political change, signaling discontent with the entrenched power structures of the military junta and the monarchy. At the forefront of this shift stood Pita Limjaroenrat, the young leader of the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which secured a winning share of votes in the 500-seat House of Representatives. With the MFP’s success, Pita seemed on the verge of becoming the country’s next prime minister, symbolizing a potential turning point toward a more democratic future. 

Pita, however, was barred from assuming office after the Move Forward Party met the same fate as its predecessor and several other parties before it: the government dissolved it.

On February 28, 2025, APARC’s Southeast Asia Program welcomed Pita to campus for a candid discussion about his journey, challenges to democracy in Thailand and globally, and Thailand’s foreign relations with regional and global powers. Kyoteru Tsutsui, co-director of the Southeast Asia program and deputy director of APARC moderated the session.

Challenges to Democracy, Challenges to Participation

Pita is now a senior research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School while the political establishment in Thailand maintains its grip on power. This political saga underscores the enduring challenges to democratic reform in a nation where political resistance and restrictive legal practices have long kept alternative visions of governance at bay.

Pita opened the discussion with an overview of his tempestuous political career. Having won the 2023 Thai elections, he formed a coalition government that secured the majority of votes. Yet, despite his electoral success, he faced immense obstacles when the military-appointed Senate blocked his appointment as prime minister, citing a simple majority requirement that also included the Upper House.

"I won the election, and I formed a coalition. The coalition I formed, we got 312 out of 500 [votes of elected MPs]. But then the appointed senators blocked my prime minister’s election," he recounted.

He described his efforts to secure the position in the second round of voting, only to face further setbacks. "Fifteen minutes before the Prime Minister's election session in the second vote, I got a court order [...] I had to walk out of Parliament [...] and that process stopped."

Subsequently, the MFP was dissolved, and Pita was banned from politics for ten years. "Now I’m being forced to bench for ten years. This is only the first year; I have nine more years to burn." Despite these challenges, Pita has adapted to his circumstances and is now focused on sharing his experiences, mentoring young leaders, and teaching and engaging in global discussions about democracy movements and public policy.

Military, Monopolies, and Media

Pita described Thailand's unique interplay between politics, military rule, and economic monopolies, and how the country’s political structure is marked by the continued influence of appointed entities. He explained that the political system has evolved into a “borderline competitive autocracy”, where elections are held but the results often don't align with the people's will. "We have elections [...] but if the election outcome is not pleasing, then the election result does not have to be the same."

Multiple entities often work in tandem to undermine democratic processes, he said. "We have the military, we have monopolies, and we have the media, against the masses, against the voters." Pita reminded the audience  of the cycle of military coups and constitution writing in Thailand: “[...] approximately every seven years the military will intervene."

According to Pita, these trends have generated a system where "the masses, the voters [are] behind us [...] but the military, the monopoly, and the media have something to lose once I become the prime minister." To address these structural imbalances, Pita called for a process of "demilitarization, de-monopolization, and decentralization." He envisions a Thailand where power is not concentrated in Bangkok, and small and medium-sized enterprises are given a chance to thrive.

The Threat of Lawfare

The erosion of democratic institutions in Thailand has occurred through increasingly sophisticated means. Pita described a shift from military coups to judicial coups, where the courts have been used to dissolve political parties and disqualify politicians. "They switched from military coup to a judicial coup [...] they dissolve political parties, 36 to be precise [...] I’m party number 36, politician number 252." In this context, Pita emphasized the growing role of "lawfare" — the weaponization of the legal system to suppress opposition. He elaborated on the current trend of judicial actions being used to undermine democratic leaders: "Instead of having just one arm to maneuver democracy [...] now they have the judicial path to do it."

Furthermore, Pita described how ethics and morality have become tools for political repression. He noted the emergence of an "ethics path," where politicians can be banned for life if found immoral, even without committing criminal acts. "If I'm found immoral, the only penalty [...] is a lifetime ban." He argued that this selective and unchecked use of morality is a form of "political assassination," aimed at preventing elected officials from fulfilling their duties.

Barriers to Electoral Integrity

When asked about the fairness of elections in Thailand, Pita expressed concerns about structural barriers undermining democratic participation. He identified gerrymandering, voter suppression techniques, and the lack of overseas voting rights as significant challenges.  He also pointed to a decreasing voter turnout as evidence of a growing disillusionment with the electoral process. "In 2023, the voting turnout was 78%. In January [2025], during a provincial election, it came down to 55%." He argued that such tactics are designed to dampen voter engagement and create a sense of political apathy, particularly among younger generations.

Pita stressed the importance of winning more elections and dominating the political discourse as essential steps toward meaningful change. "We have to win more elections and dominate ideas [...] Constitutional amendment is something that we need to go to finally have some transparency to independent organizations, and have some accountability to independent organizations." Despite the current gridlock, he remains hopeful that a tipping point can be reached, one where the momentum from electoral victories and public engagement forces constitutional change.

Pita spoke to the future of Thai politics and the critical role that young, passionate leaders must play in the movement for democratic reform. "I want to meet with the Thais in America, whether they're interested in public policy or they're interested in politics.” By engaging with the next generation of leaders, Pita aims to foster a new wave of democratic thinkers and political activists who can push Thailand toward a truly representative and accountable government.