Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat says he is not giving up 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 19^th.

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.

“I accept the result of the vote, but I am not giving up,” he said.

Pita claimed that there had been pressure on the senators, prompting some of them to stay away from the joint session.

“We will find out what happened and work on a strategy to get enough support,” he said.

Many senators said they were opposed to Pita because of his party’s stand on the country’s controversial lèse majesté law, known as Article 112. The party wants to reform the article, which it said has been weaponised against opponents of those in power.

Pita insisted that he will not budge on the issue of Article 112, adding “It is a promise we have made to the people and we cannot backtrack.”