Protests in Thailand as rivals derail Pita’s PM bid

Al Jazeera News:

The bitter battle to name Thailand’s next prime minister took a major turn as parliament voted to deny Pita Limjaroenrat, whose progressive Move Forward Party won a surprise victory in May’s election, a second chance to be confirmed for the post.

Pita had assembled a coalition of parties holding a majority in the House of Representatives. But his nomination for prime minister was defeated in a joint vote of the House and Senate last week, with conservative military-appointed senators mostly refusing their support.

A joint session debated Wednesday whether Pita could be nominated for a second time, and House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha put the question to a vote. A motion to deny him a second chance was passed 395-312 with eight abstentions, dashing the hopes of Pita’s millions of supporters. The speaker told reporters that the second round of voting was scheduled for July 27.

Video Duration 02 minutes 29 seconds 02:29Thai court suspends Pita as MP as parliament votes on new prime minister

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.

Hundreds of Pita’s supporters gathered peacefully in Bangkok to protest against the efforts to stop him, some carrying signs denouncing senators.