BANGKOK: Thai prime ministerial hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat was dealt a major setback on Wednesday when two separate complaints against him gained momentum, threatening to derail his leadership bid on the eve of a crucial vote on the premiership.
Pita's supporters, many of them younger voters opposed to the royalist military's involvement in politics, called for protests later on Wednesday, raising the possibility of another round of turmoil in two decades of fractious Thai politics.
The Constitutional Court said it had accepted a complaint filed by a lawyer against Pita and his election-winning Move Forward Party's that said its plan to reform a law prohibiting royal insults amounted to an attempt "to overthrow the democratic regime of government with the king as a head of state".
It came just hours after the election commission recommended that the same court disqualify Pita as a lawmaker, saying it found merit in a complaint alleging he was unqualified to run in the May 14 general election, because of his ownership of shares in a media company in violation of electoral rules.
There was no immediate indication either development would prevent Pita, 42, from contesting Thursday's vote, where he faces a challenge to win the required backing of more than half of the legislature.
To gather enough support in parliament to become prime minister it looks as if Pita must win over conservative members of a Senate opposed to his party's anti-establishment agenda, its most contentious element being amending article 112 of the criminal code, which punishes insults of the crown by up to 15 years in jail.
Pita said the electoral commission's recommendation that he be disqualified was unfair and he questioned the timing.
"This is a bit rushed, one day before the PM vote, it shouldn't have happened," he told reporters.
In a television interview as the court announced the new case, Pita stressed that his party's proposal to amend article 112 was not an attempt to undermine the monarchy.
Buoyed by massive support from young voters for its bold reform plans, Move Forward and another opposition party thumped rivals allied with the royalist army in the May election in what was widely seen as an overwhelming public rejection of nine years of government led or backed by the military.
Move Forward beat the populist Pheu Thai party, that had been expected to win, by 10 seats and the two parties together hope to form a coalition government after Thursday's vote.
'FIGHT HAS BEGUN'
The court cases are the latest twist in a turbulent, two-decade battle for power in Thailand that broadly pits conservatives allied with the royalist military and influential old money families against parties elected on populist or progressive platforms.
Leaders of a student-led protest movement that had called for reform of article 112 and held massive rallies against the outgoing military-backed government urged its supporters to take to the streets later on Wednesday in at least five cities, including Bangkok.
"There must be a retaliation to the effort to destroy democracy," protest leader Anon Nampa said in a hand-written note posted on Twitter.
"Whatever the conclusion, let all know that the fight has begun."
Pita, a U.S.-educated former executive of ride-hailing app Grab GRAB.O, is backed by an eight-party alliance that controls 312 of the seats in the lower house of parliament.
He is expected to run unopposed on Thursday but still needs 64 more votes, either from rival parties in the lower house or the junta-appointed Senate, a challenge that could now be even more difficult.
In another setback, Democrat Party politician Chaichana Dechdecho told Reuters his party's 25 lawmakers would not back Pita in Thursday's vote because of his party's plans to amend 112.
Senator Jetn Sirathranon told Reuters the commission's recommendation that Pita be disqualified would undermine support for him.
"A prime minister of Thailand has to be dignified and untarnished," he said.
ALSO READ - Thai court to decide case seeking PM-hopeful Pita's disqualification
Reuters
Wed Jul 12 2023
![Double blow for Thailand's Pita as legal cases mount on eve of PM vote Double blow for Thailand's Pita as legal cases mount on eve of PM vote](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/71687993438_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
There was no immediate indication either development would prevent Pita Limjaroenrat from contesting Thursday's vote, where he faces a challenge to win the required backing of more than half of the legislature. - REUTERS/Filepic
![Ekonomi China teruskan momentum pemulihan Ekonomi China teruskan momentum pemulihan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/71674060668_ChinaPopulation.jpg)
Ekonomi China teruskan momentum pemulihan
Ekonomi China meneruskan momentum pemulihan dan trend perkembangan ke arah baik dengan operasinya kekal stabil secara keseluruhannya pada separuh pertama tahun ini.
![PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61714481430_TBNAIM.jpg)
PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus
PPZ-MAIWP mencatat kutipan zakat sebanyak RM511 juta dari Januari hingga Jun tahun ini dengan peningkatan sebanyak 10 peratus berbanding tempoh sama pada 2023.
![Empat terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh Empat terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721144143_TBBANGLADESHCAMPUS.jpg)
Empat terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Abu Sayeed, seorang daripada penyelaras dan pelajar di Universiti Begum Rokeya di Rangpur utara, terbunuh semasa pertempuran dengan polis.
![Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721130378_JohariAbdulGhani.jpg)
Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala
KPK akan mengadakan Misi Ekonomi Produk Agrikomoditi Malaysia ke India pada 17-18 Julai ini.
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober 9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81718630490_Smokerises.jpg)
9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober
9,318 pelajar terbunuh dan 14,671 lagi cedera di Semenanjung Gaza manakala di Tebing Barat, 103 pelajar terbunuh dan 505 lagi cedera.
![Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721142800_AirbusA.jpg)
Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun
Rangkaian penumpang Kumpulan SIA meliputi 125 destinasi setakat Jun dan rangkaian kargo terdiri daripada 129 destinasi.
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![Pita Limjaroenrat ikrar mahu rebut semula jawatan PM Thailand Pita Limjaroenrat ikrar mahu rebut semula jawatan PM Thailand](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/71699579642_TBTimejpg.jpg)
Pita Limjaroenrat ikrar mahu rebut semula jawatan PM Thailand
Pita berkata, beliau hanya menunggu masa untuk bertanding semula kerana selama ini beliau tidak pernah putus asa berjuang.
![Sidang Parlimen Thailand pada 4 Ogos ini bagi pilih Perdana Menteri Sidang Parlimen Thailand pada 4 Ogos ini bagi pilih Perdana Menteri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/61690509345_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Sidang Parlimen Thailand pada 4 Ogos ini bagi pilih Perdana Menteri
Ketika ini, kebuntuan politik di negara itu terus berlarutan walaupun Pilihan Raya Umum (PRU) sudah berlangsung lebih dua bulan.
![Thailand: Parti Pheu Thai usaha raih sokongan ahli Parlimen Thailand: Parti Pheu Thai usaha raih sokongan ahli Parlimen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/71689394550_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Thailand: Parti Pheu Thai usaha raih sokongan ahli Parlimen
Gabungan itu memperoleh 312 daripada 500 kerusi dan memerlukan sokongan tambahan untuk mendapatkan 375 undi yang diperlukan.
![Pengundian pilih PM Thailand diadakan sekali lagi Khamis depan Pengundian pilih PM Thailand diadakan sekali lagi Khamis depan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/71689841646_Thailandsparliame.jpg)
Pengundian pilih PM Thailand diadakan sekali lagi Khamis depan
Parlimen Thailand akan bersidang pada Khamis depan untuk mengundi perdana menteri baharu kerana perhimpunan dwidewan yang dianggotai 749 anggota tidak dapat bersidang hari ini.
![Usaha Pita untuk jadi PM Thailand berakhir pada Rabu Usaha Pita untuk jadi PM Thailand berakhir pada Rabu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/41689774456_PitaLimjaroenratT.jpg)
Usaha Pita untuk jadi PM Thailand berakhir pada Rabu
Usaha pemimpin parti Move Forward (MFP) Thailand, Pita Limjaroenrat untuk menjadi perdana menteri berakhir pada Rabu.
![Calon PM Thailand Pita Limjaroenrat digantung sebagai Ahli Parlimen Calon PM Thailand Pita Limjaroenrat digantung sebagai Ahli Parlimen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/61689748032_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Calon PM Thailand Pita Limjaroenrat digantung sebagai Ahli Parlimen
Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand memerintahkan penggantungan sementara calon Perdana Menteri, Pita Limjaroenrat daripada Parlimen hari ini.
![Masa depan politik Pita ibarat telur di hujung tanduk Masa depan politik Pita ibarat telur di hujung tanduk](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/81689733249_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Masa depan politik Pita ibarat "telur di hujung tanduk"
Pita bakal berdepan pusingan kedua pengundian di Parlimen untuk menentukan sama ada berjaya menjadi perdana menteri atau sebaliknya.
![Undi kali kedua pilih PM Thailand hari ini Undi kali kedua pilih PM Thailand hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/61689722741_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Undi kali kedua pilih PM Thailand hari ini
Pita Limjaroenrat mendapat sokongan daripada gabungan lapan parti untuk dicalonkan semula pada pusingan kedua pengundian.
![Gabungan lapan parti Thailand kembali sokong Pita dalam pengundian kali kedua Gabungan lapan parti Thailand kembali sokong Pita dalam pengundian kali kedua](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/41689324441_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Gabungan lapan parti Thailand kembali sokong Pita dalam pengundian kali kedua
Calon perdana menteri Thailand Pita Limjaroenrat telah mendapat sokongan daripada gabungan lapan parti untuk dicalonkan semula pada pusingan kedua pengundian pada Rabu.
![Thailand: Pita sedia beri laluan sekutunya bentuk kerajaan Thailand: Pita sedia beri laluan sekutunya bentuk kerajaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/41689456013_PitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Thailand: Pita sedia beri laluan sekutunya bentuk kerajaan
Pita berkata beliau akan memperbaharui pencalonannya apabila Parlimen bersidang semula pada Rabu untuk undian kedua.