1-6-2023 (BANGKOK) Thai Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister, Wissanu Krea-ngam, raised concerns on Wednesday regarding the eligibility of prime minister-elect Pita Limjaroenrat due to a complaint filed against his shareholding in a media company, according to local media reports.
Wissanu stated that the details of the complaint against Pita’s shareholding in iTV Plc, a media firm, would play a crucial role in determining his qualification for the country’s top post, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
In the event that the complaint targets his eligibility to hold the position of prime minister, Pita could still serve as a member of parliament (MP), clarified the report.
“If a complaint targets both, the court will rule on both,” stated the caretaker deputy premier, highlighting the legal implications.
Pita Limjaroenrat is the leader and sole candidate for prime minister from the Move Forward Party, which unexpectedly emerged victorious in the country’s general election on May 14.
Prior to the polls, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a party-list MP candidate from the military-linked Palang Pracharat Party, lodged a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that Pita was ineligible to participate in the electoral race due to his shareholding in a media company, which would constitute a violation of the constitution.
Section 98 of the constitution prohibits individuals who hold shares in any newspaper or mass media business from running in elections for Members of the House of Representatives. Wissanu noted that a complaint may also challenge Pita’s approval of Move Forward Party memberships.
“In that case, there would have to be a new nationwide general election,” he added, as quoted by the Bangkok Post.
Wissanu further highlighted that the Election Commission has not taken any action thus far and advised against speculating on a negative outcome.
On May 9, Pita expressed his lack of concern about the case on Twitter, stating that the shares in question belong to his family’s inheritance fund. He clarified that he holds the role of fund manager and had previously informed the National Anti-Corruption Commission regarding the matter.
The Move Forward Party secured a significant victory in the May 14 general election, surpassing major parties like Pheu Thai, and obtained 151 seats in parliament. Following their historic win, the party formed a coalition with seven political allies, including Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Liberal Party, Thai Sang Thai, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai, and Pue Thai Rumphlang. Together, they hold 312 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.
For Pita to assume the role of prime minister, his party requires approval from more than half of the 750-seat National Assembly, obtaining at least 376 votes in either the House of Representatives alone or in both the House of Representatives and the Senate combined.
Several senators remain undecided on whether they will support Pita’s premiership, while others have publicly stated their intention to vote against him.
