14-7-2023 (BANGKOK) Parliament set to vote again for new prime minister next week. Lawmakers appointed by the military foiled reformist frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid for the top job this week.
Pita’s Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in May elections on promises of progressive reform after nine years of army rule, saw its campaign knocked back by senators.
The Harvard-educated millionaire pledged to reform Thailand’s strict royal defamation laws, but senators consider this a red line.
The vote came a day after Thailand’s election commission recommended the Constitutional Court suspend Pita as an MP, providing fuel for senators already against him.
Parliamentary deputy speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan told reporters Parliament will hold a second prime minister vote on July 19. But it remains unclear if Pita will be renominated or face other candidates.
“We need to discuss our options with parties in the coalition first,” said Pichet, a member of Move Forward’s coalition partner Pheu Thai.
Pita insists he remains a candidate despite gaining only 324 votes, short of the 375 needed. Just 13 senators backed him, opposing his pledge on royal laws.
The 250 senators appointed under the junta-drafted constitution prevent reformist platforms, says analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak. Pheu Thai, governing before the 2014 coup but now an uneasy ally of Move Forward, may field their own prime ministerial candidates, he adds.
If a Pheu Thai candidate wins with conservative backing, they may form a government excluding Move Forward, Thitinan says. He warns conservatives see Pita and his party as a threat “to be put down.”
Pheu Thai will meet Move Forward Friday to discuss next steps, says Pheu Thai secretary Prasert, while Pheu Thai leader Cholnan references their coalition agreement backing Pita for PM.
Pita’s reform agenda drew objections from establishment supporters, particularly plans to reform business monopolies.
Move Forward branded the election commission’s suspension recommendation an “abuse of power”. The commission probed Pita’s shares in a media company, which MPs cannot hold. Pita says the shares were inherited.
Move Forward alone pledged to tackle the royal defamation laws, landing it in court. The Constitutional Court will hear a case alleging the pledge attempts to “overthrow” the monarchy. The party has two weeks to present its defense.
