19-7-2023 (BANGKOK) The chances of Pita Limjaroenrat, the winner of the Thai elections, becoming the next prime minister have been quashed following complaints lodged by several lawmakers, triggering angry protests in the city.
Initially, Pita was scheduled to face a second vote in both chambers on Wednesday (July 19) after failing in the first round last week. However, the vote was abruptly called off when a group of senators lodged complaints against his candidacy.
Consequently, Pita was suspended as a member of parliament by the Constitutional Court shortly afterward, sparking further outrage among the people. Protesters gathered in front of the parliament building, and riot police were deployed to control the crowd.
The demonstrators later converged at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, a symbolic site known for mass protests. Frustrated Thai citizens decried the situation as “political sabotage.”
บรรยากาศที่ชุมนุม #ม็อบ19กรกฎา66 ณ อนุเสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตยในขณะนี้ค่ะ
ตอนนี้คนเริ่มเยอะจนต้องปิดถนนบางส่วนแล้ว pic.twitter.com/JVXX95weZF
— mukei (@mukei_reporter) July 19, 2023
The suspension followed a request from the Election Commission, as mentioned in a press release. The decision came to light during parliamentary discussions about the impending second vote on Pita’s candidacy for the position of prime minister. He is being investigated over allegations of owning shares in a media company during his election campaign, which is deemed illegal in Thailand. Pita maintains that the media company in question, from which he inherited the shares, has been non-operational for a considerable period.
Pita’s progressive Move Forward Party emerged as clear winners in the parliamentary election held in May.
Initially, a third vote was planned for Thursday if the second vote failed to yield a head of government. However, the situation remains uncertain as of Wednesday evening.
Pita’s main coalition partner, the Pheu Thai party, may now nominate another candidate as they stood as the second strongest party in the parliamentary election. This, however, would necessitate fresh negotiations, leaving the Thai people still awaiting the appointment of a new prime minister.
