Thai voters have spoken. But will conservatives listen?

BANGKOK - Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in

Thailand’s general election on Sunday,

Mr Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), said: “Don’t look down on the new generation. They value their right to vote more than we think.”

He was prescient. The MFP, erstwhile thought to be too young, radical and inexperienced a party to make much headway in mainstream Thai politics, not only left conservative military-backed parties in the dust, but also pipped the veteran Pheu Thai Party to pole position.