Move Forward Party’s Thai PM Candidate Pita Fails First Round of Voting

[snoop1130]

 

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, has failed to gather sufficient votes of 375 from the joint sitting Parliament, resulting in him failing the first round of the prime ministerial vote.

 

Pita needed at least 375 out of 749 votes from the upper and lower houses to take the Thai Prime Minister office. However, the official results are that the PM-hopeful was only able to gather 324 votes, which was not half of the parliament. Moreover, only 674 parliamentarians were present at the time of voting.

 

In the official tally, Pita secured 324 votes in favor (Only 13 senators), while there were 182 votes against and 199 abstentions.

 

By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/07/13/move-forward-partys-thai-pm-candidate-pita-fails-first-round-of-voting-second-round-scheduled-for-july-19th/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-07-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[snoop1130]

Pita accepts vote result but is not giving up

 

 

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat says he is not giving hope of becoming Thailand’s next prime minister, despite his bid for the top executive post failing in today’s (Thursday) joint parliamentary sitting.

 

Speaking to reporters shortly after the vote, Pita said he will work on a new strategy, to ensure that he will have enough support in the next vote, scheduled for July 19th.

 

Most senators abstained in today’s vote, while 13 voted for Pita, who needs at least 375 votes from MPs and senators combined to clinch the premiership. Pita received 324 votes in favour with 182 against, while 199 legislators abstained.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pita-accepts-vote-result-but-is-not-giving-up/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-07-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[mark131v]

Shameful state of affairs, the people spoke the dinosaurs gave it a good stiff ignoring!

 

I truly hope the common people want it bad enough as something has got to change and the hi-so's are making a mockery of the populace, if not now, when? I foresee an asteroid on the horizon let's hope it's not too destructive...

[dinsdale]

Minority institutions must be protected. Democracy is non-existant when 250 junta planted senators determine the future direction of Thailand and not the person voted in by a huge majority of the Thai population. The people of Thailand spoke and spoke definitively. These junta henchmen should be locked up and stripped of all assets. Just discraceful. What a joke. 

[mark131v]

Just now, dinsdale said:

Minority institutions must be protected. Democracy is non-existant when 250 junta planted senators determine the future direction of Thailand and not the person voted in by a huge majority of the Thai population. The people of Thailand spoke and spoke definitively. These junta henchmen should be locked up and stripped of all assets. Just discraceful. What a joke. 

No mate they should not be locked up they should be strung up as deterrent to the next lot... 

[MrJ2U]

Unfortunately, this was predictable.

 

 

I think they'll find something to have him removed (Pita) like they did with the Future Forward Party.

 

This senate handpicked by the previous Junta.  It's beyond mind numbing corruption.

 

Disgusting really!

 

Currencies should go up versus the baht with the political instability, that's the only silver lining. 

Edited July 13, 2023 by MrJ2U

[mfd101]

Interesting concept of 'counting votes': If I 'abstain' - for whatever reason, good or bad - my vote counts as a No.

 

Perhaps unique in the world.

 

Thai dinosaurs could conduct sociology research institute lessons in The New Mathematics of Democracy.

[tjo o tjim]

US Press is back to referring to the current government as a military junta, a term they have been avoiding for years. 

[proton]

Makes no difference to us but a real let down for Thais and the country

[mark131v]

The deck is so stacked in favour of the establishment that I really cannot see any legal way to stop this latest miscarriage. The fact it is so glaringly obvious that it is a travesty buggers belief 

 

When any and all voices that speak against the gross corruption, nepotism and rampant thievery of the Thai establishment are silenced through the corrupt judiciary, the bought senators and so called law enforcement agencies what can the people do?

 

I can't see any other option than get out on the streets and express their displeasure because the hi-so's have completely fixed the justice system and without a full reboot change is impossible...

[dinsdale]

10 minutes ago, proton said:

Makes no difference to us but a real let down for Thais and the country

Do you live here? If you do then why does it make no difference? Maybe another coup is in the offing? Does that make a difference? Maybe Thailand could actually grow up and move forwards not backwards. Would that make a difference? Simply buying beer 24/7 (as yoyu can in Lao) would that make a difference? Maybe you should have said "me" and not "us".

Edited July 13, 2023 by dinsdale

[Dmaxdan]

Why does Thailand even bother to have elections? A complete waste of time for all those who turn up to vote.

 

I doubt that a true people's government will ever become a reality here.

[shocky2012]

Thai people truly deserve better. That's a sad day but I'm sure Pita will comeback stronger.

[CartagenaWarlock]

28 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

These junta henchmen should be locked up and stripped of all assets.

Who will do it? People who have fled their homelands to secure a living in a foreign land on "wify visas"? Your rage has no meaning except increasing your BP, I hope you understand. 

Edited July 13, 2023 by CartagenaWarlock

[geisha]

7 minutes ago, shocky2012 said:

Thai people truly deserve better. That's a sad day but I'm sure Pita will comeback stronger.

Yes, I’m sure he saw this coming , who wouldn’t, but I think he’ll fight on , as long as they let him !

[phetphet]

Is there a breakdown of how the 250 Senators voted?

[ikke1959]

It was a farce... 200 abstain votes... why?? Don't dare to take the responsibility for yes or no? Of course it was expected, Thailand don't want cilvilians in the Government, but this time the dinosaurs shall see that their time is over...

[MrJ2U]

22 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

all those who turn up to vote.

Disenfranchised millions of voters!

 

That would result in some major upheavel or downright overthrow in many countries.

 

In Thailand it's business as usual....

 

..... So far. 

[BarraMarra]

Even if a Democratic candidate won the tanks would be on the streets in BKK. Look what happened when the Red shirts tried it on. i remember 1 high-profile leader from BKK saying there's no way an ignorant uneducated person from Issan can think of leading us.

[Caldera]

This country looks more FUBAR by the day. What a sad state of affairs. Predictable outcome, but saddening nonetheless. 

[dinsdale]

50 minutes ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Who will do it? People who have fled their homelands to secure a living in a foreign land on "wify visas"? Your rage has no meaning except increasing your BP, I hope you understand. 

Very strange comment. Completely nonsensical. Bit like 250 military appointed senators being able to deny democracy and progress to an entire nation. I hope you understand.

Edited July 13, 2023 by dinsdale

[Lorry]

1 hour ago, tjo o tjim said:

US Press is back to referring to the current government as a military junta, a term they have been avoiding for years. 

Junta’s Allies Reject Thai Election Results 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/world/asia/thailand-prime-minister-pita-limjaroenrat.html

Edited July 13, 2023 by Lorry

[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In the official tally, Pita secured 324 votes in favor (Only 13 senators)

So, basically the unelected senators are holding democracy hostage - they will never agree to a non-military backed candidate. This was exactly why the Generals did it - to stop democracy in the country.

 

Democracy in Thailand is finished unless these senators are removed. I have a big fear for Thailand now - the tanks and police will be on the street by the end of the year - all due to unelected bureaucrats 

Edited July 13, 2023 by RichardColeman

[wasabi]

Now he can form a boy band to perform a duet with Taylor Swift like he's always wanted.

[chickenslegs]

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

Is there a breakdown of how the 250 Senators voted?

It would be good to see a full list of the 750 elected and appointed members and how they each voted - or didn't vote - 45 members were absent and didn't bother to vote at all.

 

[dinsdale]

8 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

So, basically the unelected senators are holding democracy hostage - they will never agree to a non-military backed candidate. This was exactly why the Generals did it - to stop democracy in the country.

 

Democracy in Thailand is finished unless these senators are removed. I have a big fear for Thailand now - the tanks and police will be on the street by the end of the year - all due to unelected bureaucrats 

The term of the senators finishes this time next year. Interesting how Prayut retires from politics just before today. Time to put the uniform back on and stage another coup perhaps. Not that he ever really took the uniform off. Senators are not bureaucrats by the way and as for this lot they should not even be called senators as they were not elected.

[tomacht8]

only 674 parliamentarians were present at the time of voting.

So from 749 were 75 not present?

Were they all sick, or did they have something better to do? Unbelievable what an attitude towards serving one's country.

 

And 199 - 75 = 124 real abstentions? Who sits in Parliament should be able to make decisions. Yes or no. Abstaining from voting for a particular PM or not, that's really weak.

 

[madmitch]

Those who abstained are spineless, those who failed to turn up are just pathetic.

 

The required vote number should take into account those not in the chamber, so 75 absentees should mean only 338 votes required. Still wouldn't have made it today but would have been a lot closer.

 

Not that these unelected military stooges should have a vote anyway but it is currently the law....a bad law.

[Trippy]

As a foreigner I know I don't have a say in, or should make judgements concerning Thai politics. There's nothing I could do about it whatever the outcome. Don't worry, be happy. 

[Scott]

Off-topic post reported and removed along with an inflammatory post.