Supporters of the Move Forward party are rallying at several locations in Bangkok this afternoon (Sunday), to pressure senators into voting in support of Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat in his quest to become Thailand’s next prime minister.
Arnon Nampa, from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, who called for the rally on social media today, told the media that today’s main objective is to urge senators who were absent from the parliamentary meeting last Thursday to respect the voice of the majority and select the prime minister from one of the eight coalition parties, led by the Move Forward party.
He said he expects the rally will encourage senators and MPs, who abstained or were absent from voting last Thursday, to change their minds and vote for Pita.
Arnon said that the supporters will also show up in force this Wednesday, when the House and Senate will meet for the second sitting to vote on Pita’s prime ministerial candidacy.
Pita failed to get the minimum combined 375 votes required from both MPs and senators to make him prime minister.
The supporters, many wearing orange, the symbol of the Move Forward party, started gathering around the Democracy monument in Bangkok at about 11.30am.
They will march to the Army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Road, then to the Royal Thai Navy HQ and the Royal Thai Police HQ, before settling at Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre at the Pathumwan intersection, where the main rally is to be held and speakers will address the audience.
The commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force and the national police chief are all appointed senators.
The rally is scheduled to end at about 8pm
