Numerous foreign media outlets have been reporting on the double hit suffered by Move Forward’s PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat on Wednesday, which dashed his hopes of becoming Thailand’s next PM.
Pita was temporarily suspended from his duties as an MP by a Constitutional Court order, relating to a media shareholding case.
As if that were not enough, parliament voted down his second attempted nomination for the premiership.
All the foreign media outlets described him as the general election winner and his party as sweeping up more House seats than any other party in the May general election.
They report on chaos outside the parliament building on Wednesday, caused by Pita’s and his party’s supporters in reaction to what had happened inside. The media foresees more possible protests and turmoil in the near future.
CNN reported: “Thailand’s parliament blocked the prime ministerial nomination of the winner of May’s nationwide elections, Pita Limjaroenrat.”
It also branded Move Forward as a progressive party and Pita’s case as a blow to its future.
CNN added that the decisions by the court and parliament will likely add fuel to the fire of Move Forward’s young support base, with the potential for mass street protests.
Meanwhile Agence France Presse (AFP) described Pita as a Thai reformist leader, saying his bid to become prime minister ended on Wednesday, despite his party winning the most votes in the general election.
AFP reported that Pita’s hopes ended “after the military and pro-royalist establishment blocked his bid for power” and described Pita as Harvard-educated and wealthy, thanks to a family-run agro-food business.
A group of opposition parties formed a coalition, aimed at building a majority government, and put Pita forward as a prime ministerial candidate. Pita, 42, called the coalition “the voice of hope and the voice of change” and said all parties had agreed to support him as the next prime minister of Thailand.
Dozens of supporters cried and shouted abuse at a large riot police cordon guarding the gates of parliament, after news of Pita’s court-ordered suspension broke, according to AFP.
The BBC reported on outrage among his supporters gathered outside parliament. The programme quoted Pita as saying, before leaving the debating chamber, “I would like to say goodbye until we meet again.” He raised his fist as he left the floor of the assembly to cheers from party allies.
According to the BBC, despite winning the election, Pita may have to accept not only giving up the top job, but also having no place at all in the new government.
