In scorching summer heat, the “United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration” (UFTD) organised a rally in the hope of applying pressure on senators to vote for Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as Thailand’s next Prime Minister.

On the UFTD’s Facebook page, it said that they had called on the people, who are ‘’genuine holders of sovereign power’’, to gather in front of Parliament.

When the rally started at 5pm, protesters held up banners reading ‘’amend Section 112’’ and ‘’Do not go against the people’s decision’’. The dynamic environment epitomised how deeply the people joining today’s rally long for Pita’s premiership in the next Thai government.

A prominent anti-establishment Thai activist, Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, told Thai PBS World that people have the right to choose who should become our next Prime Minister and what kind of government Thai citizens desire to see.

Explaining why senators should support Pita for the premiership, staff of UFTD stated that Pita and the Move Forward Party won 152 seats in the election. In a democracy, senators, who are not elected by the people, should abide by the will of Thailand’s citizens.

Responding to today’s protest, Pita Limjaroenrat said that the right of assembly is part of democracy. According to Pita’s responses to questions during yesterday’s MoU singing ceremony, three pillars are required for a true democracy, including elections, freedom of the press and control of the agenda. Pita also said that he believes that mature people, especially senators, will understand the right to peaceful assembly.

At today’s rally, protesters expressed their concerns that Move Forward Party’s leadership might be torn down, since a few senators are declining to support Pita due to his policy of amending the lèse majesté law. The UFTD will hold public discussions with professors and publish an open letter the 250 senators seeking their support for Pita as next Thailand’s Prime Minister.