The World Briefly

July 20, 2023

The Unwanted

Thailand

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Thailand’s parliament blocked Pita Limjaroenrat from being nominated for the post of prime minister Wednesday, the second time lawmakers rejected the candidate whose progressive Move Forward Party won a surprise victory in May’s election, the Washington Post reported.

Pita had assembled a coalition of parties holding a majority in the lower house of parliament – his party had the largest share of the vote and won 151 of 500 seats.

But last week, lawmakers from the lower and upper houses – including conservative military-appointed senators – refused to confirm him as the country’s new prime minister.

Wednesday’s vote was the second blow for the leader after Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended him from the legislature pending its ruling on whether he violated election law. If the court rules against him, he could be subject to a jail term.

Meanwhile, Move Forward supporters and pro-democracy activists called for demonstrations against the parliament’s vote and Thailand’s military-backed establishment, the New York Times noted.

Observers explained, however, that Pita’s chances of becoming prime minister were already low: He was rebuffed by nearly all members of the appointed upper house, which along with the military and courts represents the country’s traditional conservative ruling class.

Pita’s Move Forward also faced resistance over its plan to amend a law criminalizing criticism of Thailand’s royal family – a taboo in the Southeast Asian country. Critics said that the law – carrying prison sentences of up to 15 years – is often used as a political weapon.

Before Wednesday’s vote, Pita said he would allow another candidate from his coalition to become prime minister if he failed in his second bid. The possible candidate is believed to be from the Pheu Thai party, which won 141 seats in the election.

However, should parliament reject a Pheu Thai candidate, there will be a push to form a fresh coalition to include more conservative allies and exclude Move Forward, especially because its stance on royal reform is perceived as the main obstacle to reaching a compromise.

This story originally appeared in the July 20, 2023 newsletter, Winning Minds, Losing Hearts.