Reformist candidate vows to re-strategize after falling short of votes in parliamentary contest for prime minister.
Thai politician Pita Limjaroenrat has declared that he will not back down after losing a parliamentary vote for the position of prime minister. Pita fell 51 votes short of the required threshold.
In a statement on Thursday, the 42-year-old announced that his party will regroup and develop new strategies to secure the necessary support for the upcoming vote, scheduled for next week.
Pita, leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, emerged as the winner in Thailand’s general election on May 14.
Although he faced no opposition in Thursday’s contest, Pita could not rally enough support from Thailand’s 749-member bicameral legislature, resulting in numerous abstentions and votes against his appointment.
While Pita’s eight-party alliance controls 312 seats in the lower house, they needed 375 votes to form a government.
At the end of the voting, Pita had secured 323 votes, including 13 from the conservative-leaning upper house of 249 members, which was appointed by the military following a coup in 2014.
Meanwhile, 182 legislators voted against Pita, with 198 abstentions.
The voting for the prime minister position has concluded, and the unofficial results so far are as follows:
– 323 votes in favor of Pita (13 senators)
– 182 votes against
– 198 abstentions#Thailand #ประชุมสภา #โหวตนายก #เลือกนายก #ม็อบ13กรกฎา66 pic.twitter.com/1YmUU68J3J— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) July 13, 2023
Many senators oppose the anti-establishment agenda of Move Forward, which includes proposing amendments to the law that criminalizes insulting the monarchy and eliminating the military’s role in politics.
Speaking to reporters after the vote, Pita stated, “I accept it, but I’m not giving up. I will not surrender and will use this time to garner more support.”
Thursday’s vote is a turning point for Thailand following Move Forward’s surprising success in the May 14 general election. It also raises concerns about potential political instability in a country that has experienced numerous military coups over the past century.
Pita’s defeat in parliament is the latest setback for him and his party, as Thailand’s Constitutional Court has recently entertained two legal complaints against them on the eve of the election.
On Wednesday, the court agreed to review a complaint against Move Forward regarding its proposal to amend the law that criminalizes insulting the monarchy.
This announcement came shortly after the election commission recommended that the court disqualify Pita from parliament. The recommendation was made following an investigation into Pita’s ownership of shares in a media company. According to regulations, politicians are prohibited from owning media shares. Pita has explained that the shares were inherited from his father, and the station has not been in operation since 2007.
Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from Bangkok, explains, “Legislators will reconvene next Wednesday and Thursday if necessary to hold a new vote. All indications show Pita’s name will be re-submitted if he hasn’t been disqualified by then. He is facing legal challenges that could see him removed as a member of parliament. His supporters view these cases as an attempt to block his bid for prime minister. We expect Pita’s coalition of eight parties to engage in negotiations, reaching out to members of parliament and senators in an effort to secure their votes,” she added.
These recent developments have set the stage for potential weeks of deadlock and economic uncertainty in Thailand.
Pita’s alliance now faces the decision of whether to support him once more in the vote scheduled for July 19 or nominate another candidate, testing the coalition’s unity as they strive to form the next government.
Outside the parliament, a small group of Move Forward supporters, dressed in the party’s signature orange colors, expressed disappointment and anger at the final result, particularly the lack of support from senators.
Nattapon Jangwangkaew, 42, voiced their frustration, stating, “The Senate does not stand with the people. The election meant nothing to them.”
Wipada Pimtare, 35, who was tearful in the rain, stated, “I’m not okay with this. I had hoped it would be resolved today. Thailand should progress. They shouldn’t waste time like this. The people have made their choice, and they should honor it.”
