Police have increased security around the parliament building today (Tuesday), ahead of a planned rally organised by the “United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration” (UFTD), intended to pressure senators to vote for Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as Thailand’s 30th prime minister.
The Senate is holding a special session today to consider the approval of nominees to fill vacant posts at the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Election Commission and the Audit Council.
Hundreds of crowd control police, including plainclothes officers, with officers from Taopoon and Bang Pho police stations, have been deployed to prevent protesters from trespassing on the parliament compound and to maintain order.
Parliament police are tasked with maintaining security in the compound itself.
Mobile toilet facilities are being provided by the city administration during the rally, which is scheduled to start at 5pm and last until 8pm.
Pita needs at least 376 combined votes of MPs and senators to approve his prime ministerial candidacy. The coalition alliance of eight parties, led by Move Forward, commands a combined total of 313 votes in the House, so Pita still needs at least 63 votes from the Senate.
