The ambiance of the place was close to perfect – serene, with soft music playing in the air, cold wind from the nearby lake and the scent of wild flowers from the meadow. Atty. Amy looked intently to Palasig while Fiscal Ante was simply smiling trying to figure out what Amy would say. Like the old Filipino tradition, Amy started by asking questions that would test the sincerity of Palasig and his willingness to abide by what would be agreed upon. It was fun because Palasig and I had already been previously married with kids of our own while Amy was and still is very much single.
I had no inkling that Amy had some naughty idea to test how serious Romy was in his desire to marry me. First she said, “I want to see her in a beautiful bridal gown walking on the red carpet”, to which Palasig readily answered “Yes!”. Amy continued by asking for a large cake with dancing fountain, a wedding ring with diamonds, and a set of silver arrhae in dollars. Romy took his glass of water and gulped its content then called on Rona, “Nunitz, kaya ba natin?” to which Rona replied “Kaya po Tatay”. As the talk progressed, Amy added one last request “Gusto ko, ‘pagawa ka ng sariling simbahan.”
At this juncture, Rona stood up and said, “Tita Amy, parang ayaw mo namang ipakasal si Tita Mel kay Tatay.” As everybody was taken aback by the impossibility of the request, Fiscal Ante butted in and said “Relax Palasig, that was just a joke. Cheers!” There was a burst of laughter and soon thereafter, food was served and they all went home lighthearted.
From that day on, Romy and I would regularly discuss our planned wedding and started preparing for the grand occasion by personally talking to our prospective principal sponsors. My publisher, Ms. Dinah M. Carabio took the cudgel to make a list of everything that would be needed come wedding day – candles, pins, flowers, wedding invitations, lists of principal and secondary sponsors, flower girls, ring bearer, etchetera. Dinah and my daughter-in-law Rosemarie P. Calanasan were a big help to me.
One Sunday morning, I requested Romy to accompany me to the house of his brother Pedro A. Evangelista so we could personally ask him to be one of our principal wedding sponsors. He was adamant at first because they were not seeing eye to eye for quite a while but later on he agreed. Kuya Pedring couldn’t believe what he heard, that I would marry his brother. He even exclaimed, “Ineng, are you serious?” When I said yes without batting an eyelash, he said, “Oh, you can still change your mind. Just in case you don’t know, he is naughty and impish.” I just smiled and said, “I already know.” Romy gave a sharp look at his brother and bragged, “See? She accepted me as I am and not as she wanted me to be!”
What a Filipino was made of and also, who a Filipino was, or something to that effect (Filipinism? Nationalism? Patriotism?), was unleashed yesterday. The first was showing the character of the race, the second was taking sides with anything Filipino. Gilas Pilipinas redeemed itself – and the glory that went with it – in the 32nd SEA Games last night in its gold medal match against host Cambodia, 80-69, held in Phnom Penh.
There were anxious moments in the elims, semis, and finals for the Philippine national team, enough for both the supporters and detractors of winning coach Chot Reyes to watch the biennial games.
Bukod sa pag-ere ng One Sports live coverage nila Andy Jao aka “Dr. J” at Atty. Charlie Cuna, hindi nagpaiwan sa kanilang readers ang mga sportswriter sa paggamit ng Twitter para sa kanilang blow-by-blow accounts ng mainitang tagpo kung saan hihiranging hari ng basketbol sa Southeast Asia ang magwawagi. Heto ang ilan sa aking tweets 18-20 hours ago as of this writing:
“66-76 Cambodia freethrows coming up; 74-64 PH’s Marcio Lassiter fakes and makes it; 4mins to go; 64-72 Dorsey trey; Cambodia trails; 72-61 in favor of PH; 61-70 Cambodia trails with 5mins left; Perez triple, 67-59; 64-57 Gilas timeout; 64-51 PH on top.
“63-51 in favor of Gilas Pilipinas. Cambodia can hardly erase the lead. But for Coach Chot and PH, it’s hard to say they’re dictating on the tempo of the championship game.
“44-33 host Cambodia trails. 3rd Qtr shortly; Gilas Pilipinas enjoys a double-digit lead at half-time, 44-33 (unofficial count); Back-to-back steals by PH. Gilas up, 42-31; Lastimosa to Stan and ends with Brownlee’s follow-up dunk!; BGR gets up after Cambodia’s foul away from the ball. 10-pt lead for Gilas, 39-29; Lastimosa’s patience not to convert fastbreak points resulted in a 3-pt play for Standhardinger; Lastimosa jumps at the top of the key, 61-51; Cambodia hits 2fts, trails, 49-57; Ceejay Perez out, Jerom Lastimosa in; 3-pt play for Justin Brownlee, 57-47;
“Lastimosa sumayaw, 44-31 (ibig sabihin, sinayawan lang ng Adamson star ang depensa ng masyadong nagpalakas o reinforced team ng Cambodia na binubuo ng mga naturalized player kabilang sila Darrin Dorsey, Sayeed Pridgett, at Brandon Peterson).” Nakuhanan ito ng video ni Kristel SV ng Manila Bulletin, @kristelsports sa https://twitter.com/kristelsports/status/1658401310704812032?s=20
Ngunit dito ako naantig sa tweet (84 retweets as of this writing) ni Charles Tiu, coach ng Mighty Sports, College of St. Benilde Blazers, Gilas Pilipinas Youth, at isa ring basketball analyst ng CNN Philippines at PBA, @charlestiu:
“That’s why you stay humble when you win, especially in a nonbearing elimination round game. Humble in victory, gracious in defeat. Brownlee carried us again but Newsome was great! Marcio too as always and Lastimosa who many people criticized held his own!” (https://twitter.com/charlestiu/status/1658423541166145537)
Binati naman mismo ng mother league UAAP ang college players:
“Congratulations to the UAAP student athletes – Jerom Lastimosa of Adamson University and Michael Phillips of De La Salle University — who did us proud by winning Gold in the Men’s 5-on-5 Basketball at the Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games!” (https://twitter.com/uaap_official/status/1658423835610476545)
Nakuha nawa ng mga magulang, lalo ng mga kabataang nangangarap maging sikat na manlalaro, ang aral mula sa tweet ng CSB coach. Sususugan ko:
Una, kailangang magpasailalim sa mahuhusay na coach. Pwedeng mag-coach ang magulang, pero may conflict of interest maliban sa mga kasong kahalintulad sa mag-amang (multi-titled coach) Norman Black at Aaron Black. Makakasanayan ng nakababatang manlalaro ang pagkilala sa impluwensya sa palaruan at koponan sa magaling na coach. Hindi lang kikilala, kundi gagalang din sa pasya ng coach, matututunan ang tamang pakikihalubilo sa kapwa manlalaro, coaching staff, manonood, may sponsor man o wala.
Pangalawa, kailangang pangatawanan ang pagiging student-athlete; nag-aaral at pagkatapos ay naglalaro, hindi kabaligtaran (“athlete-student”). Siyempre, hindi maaaring kunsintihin ng magulang ang pagbubulakbol, cutting o pagliban sa klase, pagbibisyo, at mga kahanay na kawalan ng sariling disiplina ng bata. Isa, dalawa, o tatlong paalala ng magulang, dapat matauhan sa pagkakamali ang mag-aaral na manlalaro.
Pangatlo, kailangang pahalagahan ang mga pagkakataong makalaro – kahit ang mapabilang sa koponan – dahil sa bawat laro, laging merong pagkatuto. Manalo o matalo, ang mahalaga’y ang pagharap sa hamon. Huwag sasangguni sa maling mentalidad na “win at all cost” kundi mapanatag sa turo ng Ateneo, “Win or lose, it’s the school we choose.” Ang Diyos naman ang nagkakaloob ng kasanayan at pagkakataon, kaya huwag sasabihing, “kaya ko na ito.” Nakakatuwa ngang sa bawat panayam sa “player of the game” kay Steph Curry, inaalay niya ang naipanalong laro una sa Diyos, pangalawa sa pamilya, at sa mga sumusubaybay sa NBA at sa kanyang koponang Golden State Warriors na parang kailan lang ay sunod-sunod ang kampeonato, ngunit ngayo’y nalalaglag na sa playoff. Kunsabagay, galing din naman sa ganoon si GOAT (greatest of all time) Michael Jordan na nagwika: “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
Maging sa kanayunan, sa Visayas at Mindanao, may pag-asa. Kailangang bigyan sila ng pag-asa sa pamamagitan ng pagsuporta sa mga hindi kalakihang liga nang sa gayon, maipakikita nila ang kanilang angking gilas, tapang, at talino sa paglalaro na ang akala ng marami ay matatagpuan lamang sa KaMaynilaan. Mali. Nataong hindi pantay ang pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa kanila tulad sa komersyo, sentral na kapangyarihan sa pamamahala’t pulitika, atbp.
Sa pagkikita nila eventual 3-on-3 amateur tournament MVP Omie Espino, sponsor Jahzzi Mertalla, organizer Marvin Alon-alon, Juan Rosellon, Rommel Bustamante, Marvin Hiloc, Owen Amion, Chie Macalinao, at Rolly Miña, masasabing masarap maglaro o kumuha ng benepisyong pang-ehersisyo ng mga naiipit na laman sa bisig at binti mula sa mga palaro. Humarap din sila sa dating paaralang kinikilala nila noong hindi matalo-talo, pero sila na ngayon ang nagwagi sa 5-on-5. Wala lang (“nothing to lose”). Masarap kasing pagkasyahin ang kasiyahan sa pagsasamahan ng dating magkababata at ito’y naipakikita sa mga susunod na henerasyon na “all is well that ends well,” ika nga. Meron kasing mga tumanda lang sa laro, pero walang pinagkatandaan (nananakit pa rin ala-Jawo, pero nagpakatino rin naman ang dating senador, hindi lang sa pagko-coach). Ang masakit na kaso ay doon sa mga tumambay nang matagal na panahon hanggang tumandang mga tambay, daig pa ng mga nasa piitan o persons deprived of liberty na naghahanap ng ipagbabanat ng buto.
We also win it all for the would-be Filipino student-athletes.
2023 SEA Games: Gymnast Carlos Yulo dazzles in individual and men’s team all-around events
Men’s Basketball 5-on-5 awarding ceremony | 2023 Cambodia SEA Games
Nagcarlan, Laguna. Sa patnubay ni Acting Chief of Police PMaj. Paul Raymund Ayon, dumalo si PCapt. Erico O. Bestid Jr. sa Sunday Worship ng Jesus Christ Good Shepherd Savior and Lord Church sa Nagcarlan, Laguna. Pinangunahan ni Rev. Joseph De Castro ang okasyon.
Ang partisipasyon na ito ay bahagi ng KASIMBAYANAN (Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan) na kasalukuyang ipinatutupad ng mga kapulisan. Ito ay isa sa mga pangunahing programa ni Chief PNP PGen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. Layunin at nito na ilapit ang pamayanan sa Panginoon.
Sa pagsama ni PCapt. Bestid sa Sunday Worship, ipinapakita niya ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng pulisya at ng simbahan para sa kabutihan at kaligtasan ng komunidad. Binibigyang-diin ng programa na ito ang halaga ng moralidad, espiritwalidad, at pagsunod sa mga aral ng Panginoon.
Layunin ng KASIMBAYANAN na maitaguyod ang maayos at mapayapang pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama-sama ng mga miyembro ng kapulisan at mga tagapamahala ng simbahan.
Sa pagkakaisa at pagpapatibay ng ugnayan, inaasahang magkakaroon ng mas malalim na pag-unawa at pagmamalasakit ang mga miyembro ng pamayanan sa bawat isa.
Nakitaan ng positibong pagtanggap at pakikisama si PCapt. Bestid sa mga kasapi ng simbahan. Matapos ang Sunday Worship, nagsagawa rin sila ng maikling pagpupulong upang talakayin ang iba’t ibang isyung may kinalaman sa seguridad at kapayapaan sa lokal na komunidad.
Patuloy ang pagtutulungan ng pulisya at simbahan sa pamamagitan ng Kasimbayanan upang mas lalong palakasin ang pundasyon ng moralidad at pag-asa sa pamayanan.
Ang pakikilahok ni PCapt. Bestid sa Sunday Worship ay isang taimtim na pagsasama ng mga tagapagtaguyod ng batas at mga tagapaglingkod ng espirituwalidad para sa kabutihan ng lahat.
Ang KASIMBAYANAN ay patuloy na isinasagawa bilang isang programa ng bayan, na naglalayong magpatibay ng ugnayan ng mga miyembro ng pulisya at mga lider ng simbahan para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa at kooperasyon, inaasahang mabibigyang-lakas ang mga pundasyon ng moralidad at pag-asa sa Nagcarlan.
Patuloy ang pagtutulungan ng pulisya at simbahan sa pamamagitan ng Kasimbayanan upang mas lalong palakasin ang pundasyon ng moralidad at pag-asa sa ating pamayanan. Ang pakikilahok ni PCapt. Bestid sa Sunday Worship ay isang taimtim na pagsasama ng mga tagapagtaguyod ng batas at mga tagapaglingkod ng espirituwalidad para sa kabutihan ng lahat.
Inaasahan na darating sa bansa sa susunod na linggo ang unang batch ng mga COVID-19 Bivalent vaccines, ayon sa pangako ng bansang nag-donate.
“Ang mga Bivalent vaccines na ito, na mayroong humigit-kumulang na 391,000 doses, ay inaasahang darating na sa susunod na linggo,” pahayag ni DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
Ang Bivalent vaccines ay isang “modified” na bakuna na tumutugon sa kasalukuyang mga lumalabas na mga variant at subvariant ng Omicron, pati na rin sa orihinal na uri ng COVID virus.
Nagpapatuloy rin ang pakikipag-usap ng DOH sa COVAX Facility upang makuha ang inaasahang 2 milyong doses ng Bivalent vaccine na ibinigay ng mga miyembro ng United Nations.
Naantala at na-suspend ang paghahatid ng mga bakuna mula sa COVAX Facility matapos ang deklarasyon ng state of calamity para sa COVID-19 sa bansa noong Disyembre 31.
Ipinaliwanag ni Vergeire na noong Agosto 2022 pa nagsimula ang kanilang negosasyon sa mga tagagawa at ang hindi pagsasailalim sa state-of-calamity ang dahilan ng pagkaantala.
TEL AVIV, Israel. An unexpected visitor spotted sunbathing on a beach in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv is turning heads and causing a media buzz.
But it’s not American film director and Tel Aviv mainstay, Quentin Tarantino, or another Hollywood celebrity — it’s Yulia, an endangered Mediterranean monk seal.
The seal cow first appeared south of Tel Aviv’s main beachfront last Friday. On Tuesday, Yulia drew clusters of curious onlookers to the rocky beach south of Jaffa’s historic center.
These seals are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with as few as 350 mature specimens estimated to exist in the wild. Its populations have dwindled due to historic seal hunting, fishing, and habitat destruction.
Rarely spotted on Israel’s shores, the dwindling Mediterranean monk seal populations are believed to survive only in a handful of places in the Mediterranean Sea.
Israel’s Nature and Park Authority has fenced off the section of beach where Yulia has come ashore to rest, and dispatched volunteers to monitor her from a distance.
Still, her appearance is a sensation.
“This is a very rare event that a monk seal stays for such a long time on the shore,” said Aviad Scheinin, a marine biologist from University of Haifa.
Yulia is molting, a multi-day process of shedding her winter coat, he explained, during which time she has been resting on the shore and taken occasional excursions out to sea.
Scheinin said fellow researchers from around the eastern Mediterranean have identified Yulia as previously spotted in Turkey and Lebanon in recent years. She is estimated to be around 20 years old.
“I’ve been researching marine mammals for 20 years; this is the first time that I’m actually seeing such a thing, and I can hardly sleep at night because of that,” he said.
Bacoor City, Cavite. Isang lalaki ang nasawi matapos siyang makipaglaban sa mga pulis matapos niyang mang-hostage ng dalawang indibidwal sa isang bahay kaninang madaling-araw sa Brgy. Molino 3, bayang ito.
Kinilala ng Bacoor Police ang nasawing hostage taker na si Danilo Gonzales, na hindi pa matukoy ang tirahan.
Base sa ulat, tumagal ng humigit-kumulang dalawang oras ang negosasyon sa pagitan ng suspek at ng mga pulis bago napatay ang suspek.
Sa imbestigasyon nina Master Sergeant Albert D. Badocdoc at P/Patrolman Levin Sinatad, bandang alas-3:30 ng madaling-araw, tumanggap ng tawag ang himpilan mula sa mga residente ng nabanggit na lugar na may isang armadong lalaki na nagwawala.
Nagtungo ang mga pulis at ang SWAT team, ngunit hindi nila naabutan ang suspek. Agad nilang ginalugad ang lugar at hinanap ito hanggang sa matagpuan nila ito malapit sa pangunahing daan ng Camella Springville, Brgy. Molino 3, na may hawak pa rin na baril.
Nang subukan ng mga pulis na lapitan at kausapin ang suspek, bigla itong tumakbo at pumasok sa isang bahay sa Nazareth Compound. Dito niya hinostage ang dalawang residenteng sina Danilo Obenia Agravante, 65-anyos, at Julieta Cabanto Agravante, 32-anyos, isang Sales Agent.
Agad na sinakal ng suspek ang matandang si Agravante, itinutok ang baril sa ulo nito, at sinigawan ang mga pulis. Nagbanta ito na papatayin ang dalawang biktima kung hindi siya titigilan.
Nagkaroon ng negosasyon at pilit na kinausap ng mga pulis ang suspek na sumuko. Gayunpaman, mas lalo pang nagalit ito at itinutok ang kanyang baril sa mga pulis, kaya’t agad siyang pinaputukan.
Nang bumagsak na at hindi na gumagalaw ang suspek, agad na nasagip ang dalawang biktima.
Nakumpiska sa crime scene ang isang M1911 caliber .45 na galing sa U.S. Army, may serial number na 738141, at may laman na apat na bala.
CONQUEIROS, Portugal. Throughout his life, Bobi has freely roamed the forests surrounding the Costa house. He has never been chained or leashed.
The “very sociable” dog was never lonely because he grew up surrounded by many other animals, Costa said.
Now in his senior years, Bobi finds it difficult to walk, so he prefers to hang out at home in the yard. His eyesight has gotten worse, meaning he often bumps into things when he walks. Just like old-age humans, Bobi sleeps a lot. He immediately lies down in bed after eating, although on cold days he chooses to nap by the fire, his owner said.
Bobi’s birth date has been confirmed by the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, which registered Bobi in 1992.
His age also has been verified by a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government.
Costa, now 38, was just 8 years old when Bobi was born. For him, Bobi is a living reminder of the past, he said.
“Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world,” Costa said. “Bobi represents those generations.”
Similar to Elon Musk’s Twitter Blue, the service gives Facebook and Instagram users a blue tick from £9.99 per month.
Subscribers must be at least 18 years old and submit a government ID to qualify.
The feature is already available in the US, Australia and New Zealand.
People who registered interest in Meta Verified will receive a notification when it becomes available to them. It is rolling out to others in the UK in the coming weeks.
Those approved by Meta will get a verified badge, which the tech firm says will give them more protection from impersonation, in part because it will monitor their accounts to check for fakers.
It says verified users will also get “access to a real person” if they have any issue with their account.
Twitter verification
The move comes after Mr Musk implemented the premium Twitter Blue subscription in November 2022.
The service proved controversial at the time as it replaced the previous system, where blue ticks were used to verify that high-profile accounts belonged to the people they claimed to be.
Mr Musk removed what became termed “legacy” verification ticks from account holders on 20 April – reserving the “verified” blue badge for those who had paid for Twitter Blue, and authenticated their phone number.
The blue tick removal process led to mass confusion as high-profile users like Hillary Clinton lost their verification badges and subscribers were able to edit their own username to impersonate them.
Twitter later chose to return blue ticks to a number of celebrities, governments and organisations for free.
Both Facebook and Instagram already have a verification system for notable figures, and Meta does not appear to be planning to scrap this anytime soon.
According to the support pages for the platforms, as well as subscribing to Meta Verified, users can still apply for a verified badge if they are “a public figure, celebrity or brand and meet the account and eligibility requirements”.
The decision to add a paid-for verification system amounts to a change of direction for Facebook and Instagram, which have previously both been free to use in all circumstances since they rose to prominence.
The services have relied on advertising income, which makes up the vast majority of Meta’s revenue.
While both can still be used for free, the decision to add a paid tier which increases prominence is an attempt to find other ways of monetising the platforms.
It comes six months after the company announced 11,000 job losses as a result of what it said was over-investment during the pandemic.At the time, Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg said he had predicted an increase in the company’s growth but that ultimately had not happened.
Lucena City, Quezon. Isang trahedya ang naganap sa lungsod ng Lucena matapos na tambangan ng isang naka-motorsiklong gunman ang isang empleyado ng isang multinational conglomerate. Naganap ang krimen sa Brgy. Isabang bandang ika-8 ng umaga kahapon.
Kinilala ng pulisya ang biktima na si Charles Moises Vidal, isang 33 anyos na residente ng Brgy. Ilayang Talim sa Lucena City. Ayon sa ulat ni Police Senior Master Sgt. Wilbur Schramm Apoli, ang imbestigador ng kaso, papunta umano sa kanyang opisina sa San Miguel Corporation (SMC) si Vidal nang biglang lumitaw ang suspek na sakay ng motorsiklo at mabilis na binaril ito sa ulo.
Sa sinapit ni Vidal, agad itong namatay sa eksaktong pinangyarihan ng insidente. Ayon sa mga saksi, tumba ang biktima habang nasa kanyang motorsiklo. Kaagad umanong tumakas ang gunman matapos ang pamamaril.
Natagpuan ng mga imbestigador ang apat na basyo ng bala sa lugar ng krimen, ngunit hindi pa tiyak ang kalibre ng baril na ginamit ng salarin.
Upang mahuli ang suspek at malaman ang motibo sa likod ng pananambang, nagsasagawa na ng malawakang dragnet operation ang Lucena City Police sa buong lungsod ng Lucena at mga kalapit na bayan.
Samantala, maraming netizens ang nagpahayag ng kanilang pagkadismaya sa sunod-sunod na insidente ng pamamaril sa Lucena City. Sa nakaraang mga araw, apat na pananambang ng riding-in-tandem ang naganap, at lahat ng mga biktima ay nasawi. Gayunpaman, wala pang naiulat na solusyon ang mga pulisya sa mga nabanggit na kaso.
Thai opposition parties swept the board in Sunday’s nationwide election as voters delivered a powerful rebuke of the military-backed establishment that has ruled since a 2014 coup, capping years of rising anger over how conservative cliques have governed the kingdom.
Turnout was at a record high as voters flocked to calls for change, setting the scene for a potentially dramatic showdown as parties now begin jostling for coalition support to form a government under a junta-era constitution that still gives the military significant sway.
With more than 99% of votes counted, the progressive Move Forward party is projected to win 151 seats, with populist Pheu Thai in second place with 141 seats.
That puts the opposition far ahead of the party of incumbent Prime Minister — and 2014 coup leader — Prayut Chan-o-cha.
In the early hours of Monday, Move Forward’s leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who rode a wave of youth support on social media, tweeted his readiness to assume the leadership.
“We believe that our beloved Thailand can be better, and change is possible if we start today … our dream and hope are simple and straightforward, and no matter if you would agree or disagree with me, I will be your prime minister. And no matter if you have voted for me or have not, I will serve you,” he said.
In a news conference on Monday, Pita invited Pheu Thai and other opposition parties to form an alliance against Prayut. He said four other opposition parties have agreed to “join hands in forming a government” and that all sides would have to respect the poll’s outcome.
Pita, a 42-year-old Harvard alumni with a background in business, said the party would go forward with plans to amend the country’s strict lese majeste laws a key campaign pledge despite the taboo surrounding any discussion of the royal family in Thailand.
One of his priorities is to support people facing jail terms on lese majeste charges after huge youth-led protests swept the country in 2020 with many rallies breaching taboos in openly calling for royal reform. Pita warned that if the law remains as it is, the relationship between the Thai people and the monarchy would only worsen.
The unofficial result delivers a damning verdict against Thailand’s military-backed establishment and traditionalist forces who were routed in the popular vote.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” said Susannah Patton, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute.
“Even the fact that you have a party that was articulating those views around reform of the lese majeste law, considering where Thailand was at only five or so years ago… it does introduce a whole new level of unpredictability.”
Military have a head start
But while voters have delivered a vocal call for change by overwhelmingly voting to reject military-backed parties, it’s not clear who will take power.
That’s because the military establishment has made sure they maintain a huge say in who can lead, even if they lose the popular vote.
To elect the next prime minister and form a government, a party — or coalition — must win a majority of the combined 750-seat lower and upper houses of parliament.
But under the junta-era constitution, Thailand’s 250-seat senate is chosen entirely by the military, meaning it will likely vote for a pro-military candidate.
In 2019, Prayut’s military-backed coalition gained enough seats to elect him as prime minister and form a government, despite Pheu Thai being the largest party.
In a press conference Monday, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) said voter turnout was the highest on record at 75.2%.
“This is a delightful number,” said ECT Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong. “It shows the determination of people to participate in this election.”
Ittiporn said the vote count was temporarily delayed because election officials wanted to ensure accuracy, and one polling station had to suspend voting due to severe rain.
Official results should be known in five days and it will take 60 days before the winners are endorsed, he said.
Unofficial results as of 4 a.m. local time, showed the Bhum Jai Thai party in third position, projected to win 71 seats, while Prayut’s party United Thai Nation was on course for 35 seats.
Progressive party’s deliver crushing blow
Sunday’s election saw political juggernaut Pheu Thai, which has been the main populist force in Thai politics for 20 years and favorite in the polls ahead of the ballot, go up against parties backed by the country’s powerful conservative establishment, which has historically supported candidates connected to the military, monarchy and the ruling elites.
Pheu Thai is the party of the billionaire Shinawatra family — a political dynasty headed by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. His daughter, 36-year-old Paetongtarn, contested the election as one of three prime ministerial candidates for Pheu Thai.
“We have to respect people’s voices. Whoever wins the election should have the right to form the government first,” Paetongtarn told reporters Sunday.
But this year also saw the emergence of the Move Forward party as an electrifying new political force. Its campaign included a radical national reform agenda, pledging structural changes to the military, the economy, the decentralization of power and even reforms to the previously untouchable monarchy.
It proved hugely popular among Thailand’s young people — including the more than 3 million first-time voters — who felt they had been forgotten through almost a decade of military-led or backed rule.
The election was the first since youth-led mass pro-democracy protests in 2020 demanded democratic and military reforms, constitutional change, and — most shockingly for Thailand — to curb the powers of the monarchy.
It was also only the second since the military coup in 2014, in which a democratically elected government by Yingluck Shinawatra was toppled by Prayut who then installed himself as prime minister.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
