The leader of Thailand’s pro-reform party, Pita Limjaroenrat, has been blocked from assuming power following a parliamentary vote. Despite his party, Move Forward, winning the most seats in the election held in May, Pita was unable to obtain the required majority support from parliament to become prime minister. This is due to election rules that were revised after a military coup in 2014, which stipulated that he needed the backing of MPs outside his coalition or military-appointed senators. However, all current senators were chosen by the military and are associated with the conservative establishment.
In the parliamentary vote, Pita ran unopposed but fell short of a majority. Out of the 749 members, only 324 supported him, including 13 senators, while 182 voted against, and 199 abstained. Despite accepting the result, Pita expressed his determination and stated that he would strategize once again. Livestream comment sections broadcasting the vote saw anger directed towards the senators, with many accusing them of disregarding the will of the people and criticizing those who abstained as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
To prevent demonstrations, shipping containers were placed near parliament, and razor wire was set up on overpasses. Move Forward had campaigned on the promise of significant reform, including breaking up monopolies, ending military conscription, removing the military’s influence from politics, and amending the law that prohibits criticism of the monarchy.
The issue of the monarchy pledge was highly controversial among conservatives. It was cited repeatedly by senators and MPs as a reason for not supporting Pita, with some accusing him of seeking to undermine the royal family and risking chaos. Despite this setback, two days have been allocated for a repeat of the ballot next week, allowing Pita to run again. However, it is unlikely that he will garner enough support to pass, according to Punchada Sirivunnabood, an associate professor at Mahidol University.
In addition to the parliamentary challenges, Pita is facing two legal cases in the constitutional court. One case alleges that he violated election rules by owning media shares, while the other centers on claims that his pledge to reform the lese-majesty law is an attempt to overthrow the democratic regime with the king as the head of state. Thailand has some of the world’s strictest laws regarding criticism of the monarchy, with potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison.
Despite the allegations, Pita maintained his eligibility to become prime minister, highlighting that the accusations against him remain unproven. He also sought to address concerns about his position on the royal family, expressing his belief in the continuation of the Thai monarchy. Pita emphasized the need to resolve the issue maturely, ending the exploitation of the monarchy in political conflicts and fostering good relations between the king and the people in line with a modern democratic society.
It is possible that Move Forward’s coalition partner, Pheu Thai, will put forward a candidate for the second or third ballot. This scenario could be acceptable to some voters who wish to remove Prayuth Chan-ocha from power, as he has been in office since the coup. However, young people are less likely to be satisfied with this arrangement and may protest, though it remains uncertain if these demonstrations can be sustained.
The events in parliament are likely to generate frustration and discontent among the public, particularly among those who believe that the democratic process has been undermined by actors prioritizing interests other than the will of the people. Crowds gathered in central Bangkok, holding signs that demanded respect for their vote and condemned senators voting against the people’s will. Human rights lawyer and activist Arnon Nampa, known for his involvement in the monarchy reform protests of 2020, affirmed that if betrayed, the people would rise up and fight against the prevention of an elected government.
