9-7-2023 (BANGKOK) Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and sole prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), has called upon his supporters to assemble outside CentralWorld in Bangkok on Sunday. The gathering is planned in anticipation of the crucial parliamentary vote scheduled for July 13, which will determine the country’s new prime minister.
The announcement was made by Pita on his Facebook page, emphasizing the significance of July 13 for the nation. Despite the MFP securing an impressive victory in the May 14 general election with over 27 million votes, equivalent to approximately 72% of all eligible voters, the party’s fate still lies in the hands of the Senate. The 250 senators hold the power to sway the final outcome.
“I believe all members of parliament will heed the voice of the people,” expressed Pita optimistically.
The get-together, commencing at 4:30 p.m., offers an opportunity for interested parties to interact closely with Pita and extend moral support to him and the MFP MPs, as stated in the Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Chaithawat Tulathon, the secretary-general of the MFP, has convened a meeting at the parliament on Tuesday, bringing together the eight parties in the MFP-led alliance. The objective is to prepare for the upcoming vote on Thursday, according to an inside source.
The seven potential coalition partners have demanded unequivocal clarity from the MFP regarding the number of senators who will genuinely support Pita. Recent media interviews with certain senators appear to contradict the MFP’s claims. While the other coalition members maintain their commitment to support Pita, they expect the MFP, as a potential leader of the government, to provide further reassurances, the source revealed.
In another development, numerous MFP supporters have shared an open letter written by Senator Wutthiphan Wichairat. The senator interpreted His Majesty the King’s speech during the opening of parliament on July 3 as a coded message endorsing Pita’s bid. The letter quoted a section in which the King urged members of parliament to fulfill their duty in the best interest of the nation, serving as evidence supporting the senator’s perspective.
Meanwhile, Tawee Sodsong, the secretary-general of the Prachachat Party, one of the coalition partners, reaffirmed his support for Pita’s candidacy for prime minister. He also dismissed rumors surrounding House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, 79, suggesting that he may only hold the position for a year due to his age. Tawee asserted that Mr. Wan is fit enough to complete the full four-year term.
