Wan Muhamad Noor Matha (PCC) Pichet Chuamuangphan (PTP) Paradorn Prissanananthakul (BTP) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (PP)

Due to the structure of the National Assembly, experts had warned of a possible gridlock scenario in which the current opposition parties secure more than half of the House votes but are obstructed in the Senate.

Some parties, most notably Move Forward, also highlighted progressive issues,[5] and challenged long-held social norms in Thailand.

Pheu Thai then assumed the lead, dissolving its alliance with Move Forward and allying instead with conservative, pro-military parties.

[7] Following a political crisis in Thailand, the military staged a coup d'état in 2014, ousting the civilian caretaker government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

The military junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), rose to power under the leadership of former army chief Prayut Chan-o-cha as Prime Minister.

The elections were seen as a skewed race in which Prayut had an unfair advantage, with the Senate wholly appointed by the junta and the constituencies redrawn last-minute.

The 2020–2021 nationwide protests started as demonstrations against the premiership of Prayuth but later expanded to include numerous long-overlooked issues in Thai society, and unprecedented demands to reform the monarchy.

Even though the protests largely died down due to crackdown, repression, and COVID-19 restrictions, it was anticipated that activism could resurge in this election and afterwards.

Parliament's vote for prime minister will take place in a joint session with the 250-seat Senate appointed by the junta, according to the constitution's provisional terms.

Due to the increase of the number of members of the House of Representatives elected from single-member constituencies from 350 to 400, a reapportionment of seats and redrawing of electoral boundaries was required.

[29] Since late 2022, ex-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit began attacking Prayut whose relative was allegedly linked to Chinese nationals involving drug, gambling and money laundering.

[30][31] He later turned to Bhumjai Thai Party, accusing it of corruption regarding Orange Line rapid transit planning and promoting unrestricted use of marijuana.

[34] As of March 2023, the movement had grown to 50 organizations, including media, who declared they would report the unofficial election result when the Commission would not.

The group called 9Near with a symbol resembling that of the Move Forward Party, also mentioned on their page: "Almost election, choose wisely.

"[37] In May, ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra tweeted that he was ready to return to Thailand before July 2023 and "enter the legal process".

[45] The Election Commission's conduct of advance voting drew sharp criticism from the public, especially from numerous cases of incorrect information on ballot envelops.

Chuvit Kamolvisit also pointed out irregularities in some Northeastern provinces where unusually high number of voters voted in advance and there were reports of collection of ID cards.

[3] Analysts saw this as a significant political shift, and Move Forward supporters called the results a "wind of change" and the "dawn of a new era".

[106] On 22 May, the eight parties signed a historic memorandum of understanding listing 23 policies they agreed on, including restoration of democracy, enacting marriage equality law, and reformation of the security and justice system.

[103] Due to the foreseeable gridlock that no senators would vote for a Pita premiership, some started to see Bhumjai Thai, which finished third in the election, a "kingmaker" and allying itself with Move Forward–led coalition, but during campaigning its leader Anutin had ruled out an alliance with parties that seek to reform the lèse-majesté law.

[116] On 3 July, the new parliament was opened by King Rama X, and the coalition agreed to Wan Muhamad Noor Matha of the Prachachat Party to be nominated as speaker, paving the way for government formation.

[123] That day, the Constitutional Court unanimously voted to accept a case against Pita regarding his inherited shares of the defunct iTV.

After Move Forward's attempts were blocked, the opportunity to lead the government formation was passed on to Pheu Thai, who were expected to nominate Srettha Thavisin to be prime minister.

[134][135] As part of Pheu Thai's attempts to form a government, talks were held with many of the conservative and/or pro-junta parties, who insisted that they would not support any coalition including Move Forward due to its policy on amending the lèse-majesté laws.

[142][143] On 16 August, the Constitutional Court dismissed the petitions on Pita's renomination, stating that the plaintiff was not the directly affected party, clearing the way for a new round of prime ministerial voting.

[145] Pheu Thai's alliance with the military parties was controversial among many voters, including some of its own supporters, as its leaders had promised not to join with them before the election.

[146] A poll published by NIDA the day prior showed that around 64% of those surveyed opposed Pheu Thai allying with military-backed parties.

[145] On 22 August at 9 am Bangkok time, Thaksin returned to Thailand and landed at Don Mueang International Airport, following 15 years of self-imposed exile, and was promptly sent to court and then prison to begin serving an eight-year sentence for his outstanding corruption convictions.

[155] The protracted government formation led to a further issue: Move Forward had now become the largest opposition party, but one of its MPs, Padipat Suntiphada, had already been elected deputy house speaker by the eight-party coalition.