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Thailand voted
 
Click into a picture for its original size A majority of Thais have sent the military junta home!
On May 14th 2023, Thailand elected a new government and produced an unexpected surprise. Not the favoured Pheu Thai Party and certainly not the ex-militants sent into the race by the military junta received the most votes, but the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) led by 42-year-old Pita Limjaroenrat.
Bangkok Post Thais vote overwhelmingly for democracy parties, reject military Voters have delivered a clear rejection of nearly a decade of military-aligned rule, election results showed Monday, backing two pro-democracy opposition parties.
The charismatic election winner announced shortly after the preliminary election results were announced that he will form a coalition government with Pheu Thai and three smaller opposition parties - Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart, Seri Ruam Thai and Pen Tham. Together they will have about 310 MPs, enough to form a majority in parliament. However, this is not enough to outvote the junta-appointed senators, who have the prerogative under the constitution, which was also amended by the junta. According to the constitution, the 250 senators can only be overruled if at least 376 MPs vote for the new prime minister.
Whether the announced formation of the government will come about at all is also questionable because the Election Commission, which is also dominated by the military, has received at least 168 complaints of irregularities, including one from Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list candidate for parliament, stating that Pita Limjaroenrat had owned shares in a media company called iTV Plc as recently as April 27th last year and had not declared them. iTV Plc has nota bene not been active since 2007 ....For more information on this incident, please see the following links:
Bangkok Post EC urged to bar MFP leader Pita Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list-MP candidate, on Tuesday accused Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), of holding shares in media company iTV Plc as of April 27 last year.
Bangkok Post Poll disqualification threat looms over Move Forward leader Rival claims Pita failed to declare ownership of shares in media company that stopped operating in 2007.
Bangkok Post Observers split on Pita's media share controversy Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), is facing new scrutiny over claims that he owns shares of a now-defunct media company.
It is also interesting to note that Bangkok had the highest turnout ever recorded, with 73.82%. Of the seats up for grabs in the capital, 32 went to the Move Forward Party and only one to Pheu Thai.
In Chonburi, hitherto a stronghold of the Khunplume family, 7 seats went to the Move Forward Party, 2 only to the late Godfather's family now led by former Pattaya Mayor Sontaya Kunplome and one to the Palang Pracharath Party.
The Pattaya News Move Forward Party Sweeps Seven Out of Ten Constituency-Based Seats in Chonburi The Move Forward party (MFP) unexpectedly swept seven out of ten constituency-based seats in Chonburi province in Sunday's general elections, beating the so-called "Banyai (big family)".
In Thailand itself, the turnout was 75.2%, the highest ever recorded!Disregard for the will of the voters
Some military-appointed senators have already announced that they will disregard the will of the people and re-elect dictator Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister ....
Khaosod ENGLISH Srettha Asks Political Spirits to Support Pita as the 30th PM Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai Party candidate for prime minister, has not only demonstrated his political spirit by supporting Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat to be the next PM; he has also asked other politicians to do the same in order to be independent from senators’ decisions.
Bangkok Post Historic win faces hurdles The Move Forward Party's (MFP) bid to form a governing coalition may not be plain sailing after a number of senators made it clear they will not support its prime ministerial candidate.
Bangkok Post Senators want pro-monarchy PM Two senators have indicated they will not vote to support Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the new prime minister, questioning his attitude towards the monarchy.
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights are already calling to respect the peoples decision
Prachatai The will of the people must be upheld, say Southeast Asian lawmakers Following the general election on Sunday (14 May), ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) welcomes the result of the election and calls for the Thai authorities to protect and uphold the will of the people in government formation.
Bangkok Post Srettha asks BJT, Dems to vote for Pita as PM Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister, has called on other parties, particularly Bhumjaithai and the Democrats, to support Pita Limjaroenrat of the Move Forward Party for prime minister and obviate the need for the support of military-appointed senators. Bhumjaithai and the Democrats, had earlier announced their opposition to the 2017 constitution's empowering of senators to take part in the vote for the prime minister.
Prachatai Bang Phlat voters protest at district office, demand recount A crowd of voters gathered at the Bang Phlat District Office at around 3.00 on 15 May to demand a vote recount after complaints that some vote counting was being done behind closed doors and that district officials did not allow observers.
Bangkok Post Prayut silent on political future, calls for unity Outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remained silent about his political future in the wake of Sunday's general election after chairing a meeting of the caretaker cabinet on Tuesday. Obviously he is waiting for instructions from his boss(es).
BBC News Thailand elections: Move Forward looks to make history Aside from the senators, the other unknown is whether the Election Commission or the Constitutional Court, two institutions notorious for their role in disabling previous elected governments, find some pretext for dissolving Move Forward, Jonathan Head, BBC's correspondent writes.
The Guardian Thai election may be turning point as taboo over monarchy fades Campaign to reform laws that shield royal family is now part of mainstream but making it happen will be difficult.
Peoples dispatch Anti-junta parties dominate Thai elections but may struggle to form government Even if a coalition led by Move Forward manages to come to power, its sustainability in the current system is highly suspect. Thailand’s conservative civic-military ruling elites, aided by the country’s judiciary, often ensured that the military’s political influence remained untouched by any popular democratically-elected government.
On May 16th Bhumjaithai, the party that came third in the elections, declared that the party with the most votes should form the government. The party will wait for the official final results before deciding how to proceed.
On May 16th Khaosod reported on Twitter that the six ex-officio senators appointed by the junta, who are heads of the armed forces and police, will not vote for the next prime minister, regardless of who the candidate is, to ensure impartiality.
Currently, the pro-junta parties together have about 193 seats, which together with the 244 remaining votes in the Senate could easily help them form their own government with Prayut Chan-o-cha as Prime Minister ....
On May 16th Senator Jadet Insawang reiterated that he would not vote for Pita Limjaroenrat because an amendment to the 112 Act would lead to division. He said that he submitted the demand to the Election Commission to examine the files within a month before the election certification. In democracy, many things have to be looked at together. It is not always democracy that requires majority voting, the Senator said.
The same day the Senator told CH3 TV on May 16th that the appointed Senate's power to vote for a PM is fulfilling its purpose. He admitted that his authority successfully prevented Thanathorn, the founder of MFP's predecessor party, from assuming power and he will likely achieve the same result for Pita.
Bangkok Post MFP turns attention to Senate Ready for talks, with coalition plans in tow
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Bangkok Post Senators slow to warm to Pita's PM bid Senators have expressed mixed opinions on whether to support Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party.
Bangkok Post Bhumjaithai rejects candidates supporting changes to lese majeste law The Bhumjaithai Party, which unofficially secured the third-most House seats, made an announcement stating their refusal to support any prime ministerial candidate or political party seeking to revoke or amend the lese majeste law.
Bangkok Post Pita announces 8-party coalition plan Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat on Thursday formally announced a plan for a coalition government consisting of 313 MPs from eight political parties, with himself as prime minister.
Thai PBS World Senate panel to study Move Forward party's PM candidate A senate committee set up a working panel on Thursday to study controversial issues related to Move Forward's leader and potential prime minister Pita Limjaroenrat, including his anti-establishment position.
Bangkok Post More senators back Pita's bid to be prime minister A growing number of senators are rallying behind Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat's bid for prime minister, citing the people's mandate shown in Sunday's election and the MFP's increased chance of forming a government.
Bangkok Post MFP: Coalition partners 'don’t have to back 112 changes' The Move Forward Party (MFP) said on Friday that its coalition partners need not support its controversial stance on amending the royal defamation law, as it seeks to win backing to form a government.
Bangkok Post Move Forward reverses decision to include Chartpattanakla New Party also drops out of coalition after comments about lese-majeste law cause stir.
Bangkok Post Pheu Thai urges MFP to leave S112 amendments out of pact The Pheu Thai Party on Friday urged the Move Forward Party (MFP) to rethink its intention to include a proposal amending the lese majeste law in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that the MFP is asking prospective coalition partners to sign before they proceed with forming a new government.
Bangkok Post Parties jostle over cabinet posts The Move Forward Party (MFP) is eyeing key cabinet posts dealing with finance, foreign affairs, defence and energy while Pheu Thai will be offered economic portfolios such as the transport, commerce, and industry ministries, sources said.
The New York Times Pita Limjaroenrat led his party to victory in the Thai election and seems poised to become the next prime minister, unless the military blocks him.
Bangkok Post Move Forward rallying senators to back coalition The Move Forward Party (MFP) has expressed confidence in its effort to persuade more senators to support its leadership of a coalition government and name its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, as the new prime minister.
Bangkok Post Conflict or coup possible, warns academic Conflict and another coup could occur if the Move Forward Party (MFP) fails to form a coalition government, an academic has warned
Bangkok Post EC looking into Pita's shareholdings The Election Commission is expected to rule on whether Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was eligible to run in the election, due to his ownership of shares in a media company.
Bangkok Post A matter of survival Political observers were surprised by the Move Forward Party's victory in the May 14 election and that the Pheu Thai Party came runner-up in the race.
Bangkok Post Khunying Porntip issues stern warning to Pita The planned rally by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) in front of parliament in Kiak Kai area on Tuesday to pressure senators to vote for Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister could backfire and Mr Pita must accept the consequences, senator Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan posted on social media on Sunday.
Bangkok Post Coalition hopefuls unveil pact The Move Forward Party (MFP) has given assurances that its government's policies will not harm this country's constitutional monarchy.
Bangkok Post Activists seek to bring senators onside Pro-democracy activists gathered in front of the Parliament building on Tuesday evening to send a strong message to 250 appointed senators not to vote against the massive electoral mandate delivered by the people.
Bangkok Post Prawit determined to stay on as PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has rejected speculation that he will step down following the party's underwhelming election result.
Bangkok Post Prayut allays fears over transfer of power Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday assured the nation of a smooth transition from the caretaker government to the new government, adding that sufficient measures are being maintained to shore up the economy during the process.
Bangkok Post PPRP's Ruangkrai seeks probe into 'illegal' MoU Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a former Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list-MP candidate, on Wednesday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to investigate an alleged violation of the organic law on political parties by the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the seven parties agreeing to join its new coalition.
According to Thai media, Mr. Ruangkrai was a former firebrand MP of Phuea Thai until he was given a Mercedes and ample money from uncle Tu (Wongsuwan ) to change sides.
Bangkok Post Rift over Speaker's job erupts The Move Forward Party (MFP) has insisted the post of House Speaker should be filled by the MFP amid reports that its prospective coalition partner Pheu Thai wants it.
Bangkok Post MFP confident Pheu Thai won't walk away Move Forward Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun has expressed confidence that the Pheu Thai Party will not pull out of the coalition amid a disagreement over the post of House Speaker that both parties want.
Bangkok Post MFP ensures protection for cannabis growers, sellers The Move Forward Party (MFP) has reaffirmed its plan to reinstate cannabis as a narcotic drug, while ensuring protection for its growers and sellers.
Bangkok Post Weed farms fret as MFP mulls U-turn Community enterprises that grow cannabis on plantations in Nakhon Ratchasima are urging the next government, to be led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), to list only cannabis buds as narcotic drugs.
Reuters Thai cannabis sector spooked as election winner mulls reversing legalisation A proposal by Thailand's election-winning Move Forward party to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic a year after it was made legal is sowing panic in an industry that is projected to be worth up to $1.2 billion over the next few years.
Thai BPS World Ruangkrai urges EC to dissolve all eight coalition parties Solo political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana urged the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday to dissolve the eight coalition parties, led by Move Forward, claiming that the MoU, which binds them together to form a government, is tantamount to domination of the parties and deprives them of their independence.
You remember: According to Thai media, Mr. Ruangkrai was a former firebrand MP of Phuea Thai until he was given a Mercedes and ample money from uncle Tu (Wongsuwan ) to change sides.
Bangkok Post House speaker rift widens A rift is widening between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai as they jostle over who gets the role of House speaker.
Bangkok Post Bhumjaithai, Democrats gain seats in EC vote tally The Election Commission (EC) has rounded off its vote count, revealing an additional constituency MP seat for the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) at the expense of the Move Forward Party (MFP), according to the EC.
Khaosod ENGLISH announced on May 26th on its Twitter account that A former advisor to a House Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights petitions the Election Commission on Friday urging them to dissolve both Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties because both are under undue influence from outsiders.
Sontiya Sawasdee said Progressive Movement co-leader Piyabutr Saengkanokkul has written on FB earlier this week instructing MFP not to give House Speaker seat to PT. PT meanwhile is under undue influence of Thaksin & PT PM candidate Paetongtarn seeing Thaksin is a proof. Bangkok Post Pita issues coalition unity call Efforts are being made to defuse tensions between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the Pheu Thai Party over who should get the role of House speaker.
Bangkok Post Liquor producers rally behind MFP Local liquor and beer producers on Friday called on the Move Forward Party (MFP) to push ahead with its progressive policy to liberalise liquor-making and allow more small producers to enter the market.
Bangkok Post Tuesday talks could help clarify Speaker issue The eight-party alliance led by the Move Forward Party (MFP) hopes to have a clearer idea about the selection of the House Speaker after a meeting on Tuesday, according to MFP deputy leader Natthawut Buapratum.
We are still hoping for a reasonable solution to the problem, but we are still with an observer with over 30 years of experience with the situation in Thailand who claims that the "Bangkok Elite" will eventually open their pockets to convince most of the senators to elect one of their own, namely dictator Prayut Chan-o-cha, as the new prime minister of Thailand. The so-called "Bangkok Elite" is defending its position without any consideration, he says.
This is a developing story: We'll give updates on the situation as we learn more.
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