BANGKOK – The leader of Thailand’s election-winning Move Forward Party (MFP), Pita Limjaroenrat’s quest to become prime minister came to an end today.
The candidature of Pita for a second vote on the premiership today was rejected by the bicameral parliament.
Pita was renominated as a candidate for prime minister, garnering 394 votes against it, 312 votes in favour, and 8 abstentions. One did not exercise the right to vote.
A total of 715 members voted electronically following a lengthy debate on the issue that began shortly after the meeting opened at 9.30am.
Pita was not renominated as prime minister, according to speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, who noted that 374 votes, or half of the total in the joint session, were cast against it.
“Under Article 41 of the constitution, Pita should not be renominated during this parliament sitting,” he said.
However, it is unclear when the next voting for the premiership will be held.
Earlier today, Thailand’s constitutional court ordered a temporary suspension of Pita as a MP.
The court decision came after it accepted a case against the 42-year-old Pita alleging he was ineligible to run for office because he held shares in a media company when he registered his candidacy in the May 14 general election.
Pita has 15 days to submit an explanation to defend himself.
Earlier, at the parliament, Pita acknowledged the constitutional court’s order that temporarily suspended his MP’s status in parliament.
He left the parliament at 2.43pm (local time).
“I have received a document from the constitutional court to stop performing my duty as MP.
“Therefore, I would like to inform the speaker that I’m acknowledging and complying with the order until a verdict has been made.
“May I use this opportunity to say goodbye to the speaker and fellow MPs until we meet again.
“I’m asking my fellow MPs to take care of the people.
“I believe Thailand has changed since the May 14 general election.
“The people have won half of the battle and there is another half to go.
“Even though I cannot continue my duty, I’m asking everyone (MPs) to take care of the people,” he said before leaving the House.
He took off his MP card and placed it on the table before he left. He was applauded by his MFP-led coalition MPs when he walked out of the parliament.
Meanwhile, protestors gathered at Democracy Monument in Bangkok to protest against the temporary suspension of Pita as MP today.
On July 13, Pita failed to muster the backing of more than half of the 749-member bicameral parliament in his first attempt.
Despite being the sole prime ministerial nominee, Pita only received 324 votes, while 182 votes were against him and 199 abstained.
On Saturday, Pita said he would concede to the Pheu Thai Party if he failed again to garner the required support in the second vote. – Bernama, July 19, 2023
