27-7-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s parliament is set to convene on August 4 for a third time to choose a prime minister after a political stalemate following the national election in May. Two previous attempts by the winning Move Forward party to have its leader Pita Limjaroenrat endorsed as prime minister have been blocked by conservative and military-nominated lawmakers. The Pheu Thai party, which came in second in May and is part of an eight-party alliance with Move Forward, is expected to make the next bid for the prime ministership.
The military-backed ruling party, which has dominated Thai politics for most of the last decade, was defeated by the Move Forward party in a surprise election victory. However, the military-nominated Senate and opponents from the conservative, royalist establishment have resisted Pita’s attempts to become prime minister, leading to a political deadlock.
According to a parliamentary document, the house will “consider and endorse a suitable individual to become prime minister” on August 4. However, the vote could be delayed due to a pending court review of a previous decision, said house speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. Thailand’s Constitutional Court is scheduled to review a petition on August 5 regarding the decision to block Pita’s candidacy for the top job. If the petition is accepted, the parliamentary vote would be postponed, Wan Noor said.
