BANGKOK - One of the surprise winners in Thailand's election on March 24 is now under siege, fighting off criminal charges and allegations that it is hostile to the monarchy. What happens next could fundamentally alter the political equation.

Promising a fresh start from the Kingdom's polarised politics, the youthful Future Forward Party, set up just one year ago, won over six million votes nationwide, putting it in third place behind the former ruling Pheu Thai and pro-junta Palang Pracharath.