On Tuesday March 19, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted Umesh Pandey, founding member of the Moving Forward for Democracy Movement, to discuss the upcoming election in Thailand.

 Pandey reflected on recent political events that have changed the landscape of Thai politics. Noting the recent ban on the Thai Raksa Chart party, he described the difficulties campaigning, organizing, and communicating with the Thai people amid a crackdown by the military government. Pandey also highlighted the structural obstacles posed by the new constitution that make it increasingly difficult for opposition parties to win a majority in the Thai Senate.

Following Pandey’s comments, the discussion was opened to the audience. When asked about the response of opposition parties to government pressure, he articulated the vision of the Moving Forward for Democracy Movement of Thailand. The new party brings together opposition parties to “fight for democracy” across a broad ideological spectrum. Pandey hoped that the movement would demonstrate to both the military government and the world that the people of Thailand were committed to ensuring a democratic future.

See the event live here.