12-7-2023 (BANGKOK) The rollercoaster to determine Thailand’s next Prime Minister took another turn on Wednesday as the Election Commission (EC) decided to submit a petition to the Constitutional Court seeking the disqualification of PM-hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat over alleged media shareholdings.
After three days of deliberation, the EC concluded it had gathered sufficient evidence to file the petition with the court. EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong signed off on the petition before delegating an official to hand deliver it to the Constitutional Court ahead of their weekly meeting at 1pm.
It remains uncertain whether the court will be able to immediately review the case once the petition arrives. The EC argues Pita should be disqualified as an MP under Sections 98(3) and 101(6) of the constitution for holding 42,000 shares in media company iTV. They are also requesting the court temporarily suspend Pita’s parliamentary duties until a final ruling is reached.
This latest twist adds further drama and uncertainty to the protracted saga to select a new Prime Minister for Thailand.
