3-8-2023 (BANGKOK) The Constitutional Court of Thailand has announced that it will review a petition regarding the renomination of Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, for the position of prime minister. Pita’s second attempt to become the country’s prime minister was rejected by parliament on July 19, with a vote of 394 to 312. His initial nomination on July 13 fell short by approximately 50 votes. Conservative members and senators argued that Pita’s renomination constituted a repeat motion, which is not permissible. However, a Move Forward MP and two academics have petitioned the court to determine whether the constitution takes precedence over parliamentary rules in the election of a prime minister.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on August 16. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has postponed the third prime ministerial vote, which was originally scheduled for this Friday.
This recent development further prolongs the uncertainty surrounding Thailand’s next government, more than two months after the general election on May 14. Move Forward secured the top position in the election, capitalizing on widespread discontent with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s nine-year rule.
As a caretaker government, Prayuth’s administration has limited authority, and it is unlikely that parliament will approve the 2024 budget by October. This delay will hinder new public spending initiatives and investments.
Wan Noor has stated that the House of Representatives will still convene on Friday to address other matters on the agenda, which includes Move Forward’s proposed constitutional amendment aimed at removing the military-dominated Senate’s involvement in the prime ministerial election.
Even if the court allows Pita to be renominated, his coalition with a majority of 312 seats fell apart on Wednesday. Pheu Thai, the second-largest party with 141 seats in the House, withdrew from the coalition in order to secure support for its own prime ministerial candidate, property tycoon Srettha Thavisin.
Following the court’s announcement, Pheu Thai canceled a planned press conference for Thursday, where they intended to unveil their new coalition. Pheu Thai has been courting support from conservative parties such as Bhumjaithai and Democrat, who oppose Move Forward’s progressive stance on amending laws related to royal insult.
At least one of the eight parties in the Move Forward coalition, the Fair Party, which holds a single seat, has announced that it will join the opposition. Move Forward emerged as the winner of the election with 151 seats in the House, but Pita’s status as an MP remains suspended until the Constitutional Court reaches another decision.
Separately, the Election Commission has petitioned the court to investigate whether Pita committed a criminal offense by running for office while holding shares in a defunct media company. According to the constitution, House candidates are barred from having media stakes. Pita has argued that the shares were held in his name as the administrator of his late father’s will. The media company, ITV, ceased its broadcasting operations in 2007.
