BANGKOK: The leader of Thailand's election-winning Move Forward Party met fresh obstacles in his prime ministerial bid on Wednesday, as a court suspended him as a lawmaker and rivals successfully scuttled his re-nomination in parliament.
U.S.-educated liberal Pita Limjaroenrat has an extremely difficult path to the top job and must overcome fierce resistance from a royalist military at odds with his party's anti-establishment ambitions.
After more than seven hours of debate on a challenge to Pita's candidacy before a planned parliamentary vote on Wednesday, lawmakers voided his nomination, with opponents arguing a motion for him to be endorsed as premier had already been rejected when he was defeated in last week's vote.
As the debate ensued, the Constitutional Court separately announced Pita had been suspended as a lawmaker over an allegation he violated election rules by holding shares in a media firm, taking on its second case against him in six days.
The suspension does not bar Pita from running for premier but it was not immediately clear whether his eight-party alliance would seek to re-nominate him, by filing a different motion.
The 42-year-old had told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday that he was expecting "pre-planned" obstacles, describing efforts by the establishment to stop him as like a "broken record".
Thailand has been run by a caretaker administration since March and 65 days have passed since Move Forward's stunning triumph over military-backed parties in a May election, in what was widely considered a clear public rejection of nine years of government controlled by generals.
"Thailand is not the same since May 14. We have come halfway from the people's victory and there is another half to go," a smiling Pita told the house as he acknowledged the court's suspension order, receiving fist-bumps and applause.
POWER STRUGGLE
Wednesday's drama was the latest twist in a two-decade battle for power between elected parties and Thailand's conservative military establishment, which has seen political bans, court interventions, two coups and huge, at times violent street protests.
A constitution drafted by the military after a 2014 coup and skewed in its favour ensured that Pita was blocked in the first vote by the junta-appointed Senate, which has served as a bulwark against elected politicians and can effectively torpedo attempts to form governments.
Hundreds of Pita's supporters gathered peacefully in Bangkok to protest against the efforts to stop him, some carrying signs denouncing senators.
"I feel angry. They didn't respect the people's will," said protester Wilasini Sakaew, 21. "They didn't listen to the voices of 14 million people."
The progressive Move Forward ran a disruptive election campaign in which they mastered social media to target and win over millions of urban and young voters, promising bold institutional reforms to upend the conservative status quo.
But its agenda has put it on a collision course with powerful, conservative interests, demonstrated by the legal cases against him and a determined effort by rival legislators from the outgoing, army-backed government to keep him at bay.
After the vote to void Pita's nomination, senior officials from Move Forward and alliance partner Pheu Thai said they would arrange a meeting to decide their next move.
The planned prime ministerial vote was expected to be Pita's last, having announced that he would step aside if he fails and let political heavyweight Pheu Thai field its candidate in a third round.
"It is now clear that in the current system, winning public approval is not enough to run the country," Pita posted on Instagram during the debate.
Reuters
Thu Jul 20 2023
![Turmoil in Thailand as rivals derail election winner's PM bid Turmoil in Thailand as rivals derail election winner's PM bid](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)
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has an extremely difficult path to the top job and must overcome fierce resistance from a royalist military at odds with his party's anti-establishment ambitions. - REUTERS
![Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723670962_ShimZiJunNurulN.jpg)
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia dipilih menyertai Program Pelajar Musim Panas CERN (CSSP) 2024 di Geneva, Switzerland.
![Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723628328_TBKandapan.jpg)
Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas
Kandapan juga cukup terkenal dengan keretanya yang turut dihiasi Jalur Gemilang, bendera Johor dan semua negeri serta pelbagai pelekat imej bertemakan kemerdekaan termasuk wajah pemimpin negara.
![Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81613025046_TBPelantarMinyak.jpg)
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
![Mahkamah Thailand arah MFP dibubar, Pita Limjaroenrat dilarang sertai politik 10 tahun Mahkamah Thailand arah MFP dibubar, Pita Limjaroenrat dilarang sertai politik 10 tahun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723029734_TBPitaLimjaroenrat.jpg)
Mahkamah Thailand arah MFP dibubar, Pita Limjaroenrat dilarang sertai politik 10 tahun
Pita Limjaroenrat dilarang menyertai politik selama 10 tahun dan partinya, Move Forward Party (MFP) yang menang besar pada Pilihan Raya Umum dibubarkan.
![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.