Move Forward Party Leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat gestures as he arrives at the Thai Parliament before the parliamentary vote for the premiership in Bangkok today. – AFP photo
BANGKOK (July 13) – Thailand’s parliament dealt a blow to election winner Pita Limjaroenrat’s hopes of becoming prime minister.
After hours of discussions, Pita fell short of the 375 parliamentary votes required to secure the position, despite his reformist party winning the popular vote in the general election.
Pita, who gained immense support during the May elections which saw voters reject a decade of army-backed rule, faced opposition from conservative MPs and junta-appointed senators.
Prior to the parliamentary vote, security measures were heightened in anticipation of potential protests at the event.
In recent years, mass pro-democracy demonstrations broke out in Bangkok when Pita’s Move Forward Party’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, was dissolved by the court.
Patchaya Saelim, 17, a supporter of the MFP, stated, “We Thais have the right to voice our opinions since we’re a democratic country. We can gather to protest.”
Unclear path
The next steps are uncertain as the house speaker has yet to indicate whether Pita will have another chance to secure the necessary votes.
Pita formed an eight-party coalition after the May elections, but with 312 votes, still far from the required number.
MFP’s reformist agenda, including proposals to amend strict royal defamation laws and challenge business monopolies, has faced opposition from conservatives and the country’s powerful establishment.
Pita’s loss may also create challenges for his coalition, which includes the opposition Pheu Thai party.
There is speculation about whether the more established Pheu Thai party might support another candidate for the top job.
Potential candidates include Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai party and daughter of exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as Srettha Thavisin, a business leader from the party.
Dark clouds
Pita’s path to power has been further complicated by the threat of parliamentary suspension and two cases filed against him and his party.
A day before the vote, the Election Commission recommended his suspension over allegations of breaking campaign rules, which the MFP denounced as an “abuse of power”.
The recommendation followed an investigation into Pita’s ownership of shares in a media company, which is prohibited by Thai law.
The station in question has been inactive since 2007, and Pita claims that the shares were inherited from his father.
MFP was the only party to address the issue of royal defamation laws during the campaign, but this stance has landed them in trouble.
The Constitutional Court has accepted a case alleging that the MFP’s promise constitutes an attempt to “overthrow” the constitutional monarchy. The party has two weeks to present their defense.
