Washington (May 31, 2023) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today released statements celebrating the historic victory of the progressive Move Forward party in Thailand earlier this month, which opposes the long-standing control of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), a non-democratic council backed by the Royal Thai Military which has led the nation for nearly a decade since the military abolished the country’s constitution and overturned its democratically-elected government. The Senators called for a peaceful transition of power without interference from the military as the various parties work together to form a government and elect a prime minister:

“This landslide victory is a victory for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,” said Senator Markey. “I applaud the people of Thailand for their courage and bravery to show up in record numbers, speak out, and vote for a future free from military control. The United States must stand with the people of Thailand as they continue to challenge the status quo and take back their rights.”  

“The results of the most recent election delivered a powerful message to the country’s military-backed government: you do not have the consent of the people to rule,” said Senator Cardin. “I stand in solidarity with the people of Thailand in their quest for a democratically elected government that reflects the people’s will.”

In March, Senator Markey and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced their resolution, with Senator Cardin as a cosponsor, urging Thailand’s government to protect and uphold democracy, human rights, the rule of law, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to free expression. Last March, Senator Markey, then-chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sent a letter requesting that the governments of Thailand and the U.S. address concerns raised over a proposed Thai Non-Government Organization law, which human rights group said would undermine Thailand’s rule of law.