Thailand’s political arena has been thrown into disarray once again, as Pita Limjaroenrat, the embattled leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP), issues a stark warning: without judicial reform, the country will continue to go around in circles.

 

Pita’s comments follow two seismic court rulings that not only disbanded his progressive party but also ousted a prime minister, leaving the nation in a state of uncertainty.

 

The former MFP leader, who was barred from politics for a decade, remains defiant.

 

“A 10-year ban won’t break my resolve.”

 

The 43 year old former politician emphasised his commitment to pushing for major reforms aimed at depoliticising independent institutions. Reflecting on the chaotic cycle of coups and court rulings that have plagued Thailand for two decades, Pita remarked that people confuse movement with progress.

 

“It’s almost like we’re going somewhere, but actually, we’re going nowhere.”

 

The political turbulence in Thailand is far from new, with the country trapped in a relentless tug-of-war between popular political parties and an entrenched establishment closely linked to the military and judiciary. This ongoing struggle has seen multiple governments toppled, often by court rulings that critics argue overstep their jurisdiction.

 

In a scathing critique, 134 Thai academics and legal experts echoed Pita’s concerns, accusing the courts of damaging public trust in both the legal system and democracy itself. Despite the recent blows, Pita is not stepping away quietly. He plans to return to Harvard University as a democracy fellow and is even contemplating writing a memoir of his tumultuous political journey, reported The Nation.

 

While Thailand’s political landscape remains volatile, Pita remains optimistic about his eventual return.

 

“I’ll be waiting for my time. I still very much want to bring about change in Thailand.”

 

Pita promises to come back stronger and more prepared to lead the nation through its most challenging times.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-21

 

 

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He is right.. First get rid of all the corrupt judges and friends of the army and built a new justice system that is doing real justice to everyone and not only the poor and low educated.  Whatever it takes you can't stop reading jailterms for e cigarettes, hitting someone, no pay of a bill or whatever minor offences, while the rich and family of police and rich and government are always released..That is no justice.. just a few examples as there are many many more

7 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

He is right.. First get rid of all the corrupt judges and friends of the army and built a new justice system that is doing real justice to everyone and not only the poor and low educated.  Whatever it takes you can't stop reading jailterms for e cigarettes, hitting someone, no pay of a bill or whatever minor offences, while the rich and family of police and rich and government are always released..That is no justice.. just a few examples as there are many many more

Of course he is right BUT its going to be lifetimes before Thailand changes for the better

why change, the hi-so are doing alright for themselves and they are the only ones that matter, the trogs don't rate as anything useful other than cheap labour, so why waste good time worrying about then.    

2 hours ago, Artisi said:

why change, the hi-so are doing alright for themselves and they are the only ones that matter, the trogs don't rate as anything useful other than cheap labour, so why waste good time worrying about then.    

Maybe they should read about tumbrels

While it would be nice to have these guys, esp Thanathorn, running things and the dinosaurs consigned to history, I would still take what is here over the potential for Thailand in following horribly Leftie wokish Western norms, effectively hamstringing the state with no opinion entertained. Oh, wait!

Big words from someone who is banned from politics and had his party dissolved.

He should worry about himself first if he’ll be jailed or worse come to any bodily harm.

Pita Limjaroenrat represents everything good about Thailand and what Thailand can become. Intelligent, educated and transparent. He is a positive role model for young people. Unlike so many others who were elected to political office, he had experience in running a business, and more importantly in taking a failing business and turning it profitable again through good management practices.  best of  all he was an honest politician, in it for love of his country and of genuinely to effect positive change.

The ruling cabal banned him for a decade in a selfish attempt to protect themselves, but there will be more like Pita in the future. They are trying to hold back progress. The longer they hold it back, the greater the  force for change. Pita is the future and a man of great courage and resolve. 

5 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Pita Limjaroenrat represents everything good about Thailand and what Thailand can become. Intelligent, educated and transparent. He is a positive role model for young people. Unlike so many others who were elected to political office, he had experience in running a business, and more importantly in taking a failing business and turning it profitable again through good management practices.  best of  all he was an honest politician, in it for love of his country and of genuinely to effect positive change.

The ruling cabal banned him for a decade in a selfish attempt to protect themselves, but there will be more like Pita in the future. They are trying to hold back progress. The longer they hold it back, the greater the  force for change. Pita is the future and a man of great courage and resolve. 

He is one of my friends 

49 minutes ago, still kicking said:

He is one of my friends 

 

You are fortunate if he is.  I do hope he knows that he is held in high regard by his foreign peer group and that his sacrifice on behalf of his people puts many of us to shame

.  I still marvel at his success with Agrifood.  It is a Netflix drama in real life.  Imagine being 25 years old and flying back for a father's funeral, being told that the family company was about to collapse , and putting your life on hold to turn the company around, and then quietly going back to school after saving the family business and restoring family honour. He is a living business case study.

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Reflecting on the chaotic cycle of coups and court rulings that have plagued Thailand for two decades, Pita remarked that people confuse movement with progress.

 

“It’s almost like we’re going somewhere, but actually, we’re going nowhere.”

Actually Thailand is going backwards.

12 hours ago, Artisi said:

why change, the hi-so are doing alright for themselves and they are the only ones that matter, the trogs don't rate as anything useful other than cheap labour, so why waste good time worrying about then.    

After many years of living and working in Thailand  my impression of the way in which the Thai elites regard poor Thais has never changed. They couldn't care less.

The best prime minister Thailand never had. 

Robbed by Thaksin and his  covert alliance with the military. 

6 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Big words from someone who is banned from politics and had his party dissolved.

He should worry about himself first if he’ll be jailed or worse come to any bodily harm.

I agree. He's booked in for highly lucrative lecture tours in the US and has been accepted back to Harvard. The captain has left the sunken ship. A career politician.

5 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Pita Limjaroenrat represents everything good about Thailand and what Thailand can become.

That's why it will never work, dinosaurs breed too! There's just TOO much swill in the trough to share it with these educated young upstarts!

15 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Of course he is right BUT its going to be lifetimes before Thailand changes for the better

with a 10 year ban, it will work in his favour, the old ones will be long gone. The young thai generation want a change and this will take 10 to 20 years to happen.

I have looked, but I cannot find the answer to this:

Who choses the members of the Constitutional Court now that the military has gone?

 

In Thailand, might makes right. So, unless he is willing to take up arms against the ruling Elite, he might as well throw in the towel.

22 minutes ago, phetphet said:

I have looked, but I cannot find the answer to this:

Who choses the members of the Constitutional Court now that the military has gone?

 

google is your friend

Under the 2007 Constitution, the Constitutional Court has nine members, all serving for nine year terms and appointed by the King with senatorial advice: Three are SCJ judges and are selected by the SCJ plenum through secret ballot.

best thing that could happen is they all attend, there is an earthquake and the country get all new fresh politicians... they are hungry too to get their place at the trough

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

After many years of living and working in Thailand  my impression of the way in which the Thai elites regard poor Thais has never changed. They couldn't care less.

Far too many in my home country thinking the same way.

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

I have looked, but I cannot find the answer to this:

Who choses the members of the Constitutional Court now that the military has gone?

 

Thai's!

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“It’s almost like we’re going somewhere, but actually, we’re going nowhere.”

Go for the jugular vein, Pita! Get angry at least! Unleash that hidden tiger! (If there is one)!

2 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

google is your friend

Under the 2007 Constitution, the Constitutional Court has nine members, all serving for nine year terms and appointed by the King with senatorial advice: Three are SCJ judges and are selected by the SCJ plenum through secret ballot.

I'm not sure how up to date that is. We're into the 2017 constitution now. And does the Senate still have a say?

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

In Thailand, might makes right. So, unless he is willing to take up arms against the ruling Elite, he might as well throw in the towel.

Indeed. The ones in power are the ones with the guns and tanks.

A peaceful revolution will never happen. You want the change that you advocate then civil war is inevitable 

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

After many years of living and working in Thailand  my impression of the way in which the Thai elites regard poor Thais has never changed. They couldn't care less.

It’s deep rooted. You can call it the Thai caste system. 
ศักดินา Is the word

Pita is exactly what this country needs right now and that's why he's not being allowed to run things. The people want him, but the oligarchs and morally bankrupt don't.

 

And Thailand is not going in circles at this stage, it is going backwards. I think in this life if you're not moving forward you're moving backwards, it is just the nature of momentum. 

 

The Army is playing it smart at this point by establishing and maintaining a certain degree of control, that Thaksin granted them by selling his soul, his party, and his people in exchange for his freedom. The time is coming, when this will no longer be tolerated. Just wait. The army is on it's way out. It could take awhile, and it could get ugly, though it will never get to the hellish level of Burma, as the Thai parents would never, ever permit that kind of genocidal behavior from their sons. You take out one Thai, and you are forever disowned by this family. That is all it would take to bring about mass defections from the army ranks. That would sure be fun to witness. Are the pompous generals going to put themselves into harms way? Never. They do not have it in them, they are total cowards. 

Pira,,,,,gimmee some bread man!

     He's banned from politics but not banned from speaking out.   He can still make a difference and rally the voters.  He's much-admired, and rightly so.