Thailand: Pita’s loss is Thaksin’s gain

[webfact]

 

Move Forward leader loses first vote to become prime minister, opening the way for Peua Thai to take the helm on its own terms

 

BANGKOK – In a largely preordained vote against the popular will, Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to win enough parliamentary votes to become Thailand’s next and arguably first progressive prime minister.

 

The military-appointed, 249-member Senate and lower house parliamentarians aligned with the outgoing conservative coalition led by coup-maker General Prayut Chan-ocha either abstained or voted down Pita’s bid, which needed to secure at least 375 of 749 votes.

 

The tally saw 324 votes in favor of Pita, 182 against and 199 abstentions. A second vote is scheduled for July 19, at which the second-ranked Peua Thai could, and some insiders say, will likely put forward its top candidate, property tycoon Srettha Thavisin. A third and final vote could take place the following day.

 

The political jockeying is expected to intensify in the days ahead as Pita will need to explain to coalition partners why he believes he can win a second vote after losing today. Many believe the Senate and other conservative MPs would be more willing to vote for the non-confrontational Srettha, who Peua Thai insiders have cast as their “compromise” candidate.

 

By SHAWN W. CRISPIN

 

Full story: https://asiatimes.com/2023/07/thailand-pitas-loss-is-thaksins-gain/

 

-- © Copyright ASIA TIMES 2023-07-14

 

- 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.

[bannork]

Oh the irony of the spectre of Prayuth's senators, anti Thaksin to the man, voting for his party's candidate.

Will they do it or will they insist MF are removed from the coalition first, either by PT or the court?

Edited July 14, 2023 by bannork

[2baht]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

199 abstentions.

Absolutely disgusting!

[h90]

21 minutes ago, bannork said:

Oh the irony of the spectre of Prayuth's senators, anti Thaksin to the man, voting for his party's candidate.

Will they do it or will they insist MF are removed from the coalition first, either by PT or the court?

13 Senators voted for Pita

[2baht]

3 minutes ago, h90 said:

13 Senators voted for Pita

236 did'nt!

[Tropicalevo]

10 minutes ago, h90 said:

13 Senators voted for Pita

Soon to be ex-senators?

[bignok]

Gone. 2nd up next.

[h90]

5 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Soon to be ex-senators?

they all expire soon, but can't remember when...1 or 2 years

[anchadian]

2 minutes ago, h90 said:

they all expire soon, but can't remember when...1 or 2 years

May 2024

[webfact]

Pita loses PM bid, second round of voting to take place next week

By Peter Roche

 

The leader of the political party that won the most votes in Thailand’s May 14 general election has failed in his bid to become prime minister after a full day of debate in the Thai parliament yesterday.

 

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to secure the necessary number of votes from opposition parties or senators appointed by the junta after the 2017 Charter was promulgated.

 

Voting for the country’s next PM kicked off around 4pm yesterday, July 13, with Pita the sole candidate. Nation Thailand reports that voting was carried out openly and the results tallied by a committee of 6 MPs. Voting continued for 2 hours, at which point Parliament conclude that Pita had not secured enough votes to become PM.

 

Full story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/pita-loses-pm-bid-second-round-of-voting-to-take-place-next-week/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-07-14

 

- 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.

[h90]

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

May 2024

less than a year...thanks

[Mr Meeseeks]

They say people get the government they deserve, and by voting Palang Pracharath at the last election and voting in favour of the last constitution, they've only got themselves to blame for the current situation.

[h90]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Pita loses PM bid, second round of voting to take place next week

By Peter Roche

 

The leader of the political party that won the most votes in Thailand’s May 14 general election has failed in his bid to become prime minister after a full day of debate in the Thai parliament yesterday.

 

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to secure the necessary number of votes from opposition parties or senators appointed by the junta after the 2017 Charter was promulgated.

 

Voting for the country’s next PM kicked off around 4pm yesterday, July 13, with Pita the sole candidate. Nation Thailand reports that voting was carried out openly and the results tallied by a committee of 6 MPs. Voting continued for 2 hours, at which point Parliament conclude that Pita had not secured enough votes to become PM.

 

Full story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/pita-loses-pm-bid-second-round-of-voting-to-take-place-next-week/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-07-14

 

- 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.

don't know why the outcome should be different....there are so many votes missing

[sirineou]

I don't know why they even hold a general election.

Even though my wife and her sister did not vote for Pita, in a conversation we had yesterday, they both said that if Pita is not PM , they are not wasting their time voting again.

I am sure they are the only ones to feel that way.

[h90]

Just now, Mr Meeseeks said:

They say people get the government they deserve, and by voting Palang Pracharath at the last election and voting in favour of the last constitution, they've only got themselves to blame for the current situation.

Blame? 72% did not vote for MFP so these 72% won't be sad.....

[webfact]

Pita fails to secure required support to become PM
by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has said he remains determined to pursue his bid for the prime minister’s position despite losing in a parliamentary vote. Although Pita fell short of the required threshold by 51 votes, he expressed his party’s intention to re-strategize and gather the necessary support for the next vote, scheduled for next week.

 

Pita, who was unopposed, failed to secure the required support from the 749-member bicameral legislature. Numerous abstentions and votes against him resulted in his falling short of the necessary 375 votes to form a government. Pita’s eight-party alliance currently controls 312 seats in the lower house.

 

Pita won 323 votes in the parliamentary vote, including support from 13 senators out of the 249-member conservative-leaning upper house. 182 legislators voted against him, while 198 abstained.

 

Many senators hold opposition to Move Forward’s anti-establishment agenda, which includes plans to amend a law prohibiting insults against the monarchy and to diminish the military’s role in politics.

 

Despite the setback, Pita expressed his determination and refusal to give up, emphasizing his commitment to gathering more support during this time.

 

The reconvening of legislators next week presents the possibility of a new vote, with indications suggesting that Pita’s name may be resubmitted unless he is disqualified.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230714095151526

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2023-07-14

 

- 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.

[stoner]

anyone who didn't vote or was absent yesterday (without an iron clad reason like imminent death or being held captive by insurgents)  should be automatically fired from their position. 

 

the number needed should be dropped to reflect those that refused and a new total needed. 

 

simple.

[tjo o tjim]

26 minutes ago, h90 said:

don't know why the outcome should be different....there are so many votes missing

Well, if legal issues are "resolved" I think many of the senators will lose cover to abstain.  A big part of me thinks that the government might get a clue-stick and realize the potential for serious long-term impact if the popular vote is ignored.

[ikke1959]

The CC should finish the discussion on the amendment of section 112, as it known that the last time it could be amended in 1956. So it is possible and the CC should verdict that it is the right of MFP to try to amend this article as it is out of date and the reason is prominent because of misuse by the Government. That would give a boost for PITA to become PM... But as usual the CC will take a long time to think and delay and delay and delay as we are used of them. Besides those who are not in the voting session ( 63 yesterday) there places are not being counted and the majority of the vote. To pass 50% +1 is needed of the valid votes. In fact in my country voting for people is always with ballots even in a local footballclub. Only attending MP's can vote .. 

[h90]

10 minutes ago, tjo o tjim said:

Well, if legal issues are "resolved" I think many of the senators will lose cover to abstain.  A big part of me thinks that the government might get a clue-stick and realize the potential for serious long-term impact if the popular vote is ignored.

They won't be resolved, but they could nominate some PTP person. That would be more agreeable....PTP may even get BJ on board.

But if they have BJ there is not much missing and they could drop MFP...would need votes from either the Dems or the military which would be a hard sell...or they buy out some of the MFP.

A lot people believe Anutin get PM....I can't see the logic behind that but it seems many believe it.

[h90]

25 minutes ago, stoner said:

anyone who didn't vote or was absent yesterday (without an iron clad reason like imminent death or being held captive by insurgents)  should be automatically fired from their position. 

 

the number needed should be dropped to reflect those that refused and a new total needed. 

 

simple.

firing MPs that don't vote what you want? Democracy North Korea style......

[Joseph98765]

The word 'democracy' is derived from the Greek word “Demokratia” which is made up of two words: “Demos” meaning people and “Kratia” meaning rule.

so finally the "people" don't have any decision to choose their own government... disgusting what happened yesterday!!!

[Purdey]

Better for MF to push for another election but this time win all the voters they need for a landslide and don't depend on anyone

[stoner]

11 minutes ago, h90 said:

firing MPs that don't vote what you want? Democracy North Korea style......

they didn't vote. their job yesterday was to vote for the candidate presented. they with held their vote. they didn't preform the duty they were there for. 

 

where did i mention it was what i wanted ? 

 

fired. 

 

 

[Eric Loh]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

The reconvening of legislators next week presents the possibility of a new vote, with indications suggesting that Pita’s name may be resubmitted unless he is disqualified.

I think Pita candidancy for PM will be re-submitted for the next voting session unless the Charter Court make 2 big annoucements before 19 July. If the Court announced that they will accept the case forwarded by EC on the iTV shares and also accept EC recommendation to strip his MP status, it will weakened his votes. It can lead to prison time and party dissolution. The other announcement will be detrimental for his own personal safety as the court has accepted a compliant filed by a lawyer against Pita for his plans to reform 112. This is 112 case will be a major obstacle as the senators used this effectively in yesterday debate and had major influence on the senates and opposition MPs voting decisions.

 

Although Pita can still run for Prime Minister, the overhang legal jeopardies may influence the coalition to make decision to nominate an alternate which is most likely K Sretha seen as a more moderate candidate. There are backroom deals for BJT and PPRP to vote for him. 

 

I don't think the pro-democracy coalition will break off. Just too much to lose for PTP to join with the junta parties. A coalition with the junta is a big betrayal for the Red Shirts stalwarts who fought for them and also a big letdown for the young pro democracy voters who will be the major voting block in 4 years. Better heads will rule within the coalition and especially with MFP who will still take a good portion of the ministerial positions while bidding their time to re-organize for the next election. 

[pomchop]

I know there are lots of taksin haters about on the forum but in my opinion the coup performed in the middle of the night while he was out of Thailand gave the military the confidence that they could and would and should take power and use all means possible to keep it...get rid of the hugely popular taksin, get rid of sister, get rid of any and all that dare to challenge the generals....taksin was certainly not perfect but at least he got elected unlike the coup plotters who it seems have now rigged the system to the point that the voters desire is an inconvenient annoyance.  Sooner or later a newer generation of generals will overthrow the current bunch of dictator wannabes as they will want their turn at the trough.  I miss Taksin, with all his faults, he was better than the coup crew.

[Enzian]

Couldn't he have kept some of his policy intentions to himself until he was settled in office? Assuming he was serious? I'm not saying he has been wrong, but that one thing has been a no-win and red cape to a red bull (no pun intended) with the large conservative elements of the country--even if his proposal is very mild in its extent.

Edited July 14, 2023 by Enzian
typo

[h90]

29 minutes ago, stoner said:

they didn't vote. their job yesterday was to vote for the candidate presented. they with held their vote. they didn't preform the duty they were there for. 

 

where did i mention it was what i wanted ? 

 

fired. 

 

 

Please read a bit how parliaments work.....

[Thailand]

Conditions looking to have the possibility of heading to another one of those coup thingies?

 

Who was the general who said there will no coup on his watch?

 

Not Prayuth, the most recent one.

[stoner]

5 minutes ago, h90 said:

Please read a bit how parliaments work.....

please don't include thailand in that. an appointed parliament (250 senators) is not the same.