The liberal frontrunner for the position of Thailand's next prime minister, Pita Limjaroenrat, has announced that he will withdraw his candidacy if parliament fails to endorse him in the upcoming vote. Limjaroenrat's Move Forward Party (MFP) secured the majority of seats in the May elections, driven by the aspirations of young Thais for progressive reforms following almost a decade of military-backed rule in the country. However, his bid was thwarted by military-appointed senators who objected to his plans to reform strict royal defamation laws. As parliament prepares for the second ballot, Limjaroenrat has expressed his willingness to support a candidate from the coalition partner, Pheu Thai, if he fails to secure the necessary votes.
Challenges Faced by the Liberal Frontrunner:
During the first ballot, Limjaroenrat fell short of the 375 votes needed to support his candidacy, receiving only 13 votes from senators. The primary obstacle was MFP's intention to revise the kingdom's royal defamation laws, a stance firmly rejected by many senators. Despite the setback, Limjaroenrat remains resolute in his commitment to reform and apologized to his supporters in a video message, indicating his readiness to cede the opportunity to another party if necessary.
Impediments to Reform:
The 250 senators who voted in the first ballot were all appointed under the junta-drafted constitution. This constitution, according to political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak, serves as a reliable obstacle to MFP's reformist agenda, enabling the ruling authority to maintain power and prevent the rise of a pro-democracy government. MFP's refusal to compromise on revising the strict royal defamation laws further strained their relationship with senators, reinforcing the challenges faced by the party.
Mobilizing Support and Potential Compromise:
In light of the upcoming vote, Limjaroenrat called upon his supporters to employ creative means to persuade senators to endorse his candidacy. Recognizing that he alone cannot change the senators' minds, he urged his followers to communicate their support through various channels. Meanwhile, the MFP's coalition partner, Pheu Thai, is considering property tycoon Srettha Thavisin as their alternative candidate for prime minister in the event of Limjaroenrat's failure. Thavisin, favored by influential business leaders, is viewed as a potential compromise candidate.
Obstacles and Controversies:
Limjaroenrat's popularity stems from widespread dissatisfaction with the military-backed rule of Prayut Chan-o-cha, who seized power in the 2014 coup. However, the MFP's reformist agenda has encountered strong opposition from conservative factions aligned with the country's establishment. Furthermore, the vote on Limjaroenrat's candidacy coincided with the recommendation by Thailand's top election body to suspend him as a Member of Parliament due to alleged campaign rule violations. The Constitutional Court has also agreed to hear a case accusing the MFP of plotting to "overthrow" the constitutional monarchy through their stance on royal defamation laws.
Pita Limjaroenrat's bid to become Thailand's next prime minister faces significant hurdles as military-appointed senators and legal challenges obstruct his path to leadership. Despite winning the most seats in the May elections, his progressive agenda and commitment to reform strict royal defamation laws have generated strong opposition. As the second ballot approaches, Limjaroenrat remains determined to rally support, but his willingness to withdraw and endorse another candidate demonstrates his commitment to democratic processes. The outcome of this pivotal vote will not only shape Thailand's political landscape but also influence the country's trajectory towards social progress and democratic governance.