The change of power in Thailand

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the party Kao Klai – Forward. Sakchai Lalit / AP

The change of power in Thailand
Pita: Won't give up after losing the vote

Pita Limjaroenrat will not give up after losing the vote for the post of prime minister in Thailand, writes Reuters. He was 51 short of the 376 votes needed to win the vote.

- We will have to change our strategy to get the support needed in the next vote.

As early as next week, a vote on the position of prime minister could take place. Pita Limjaroenrat's party Kao Klai (Forward) received the most votes in the election and he was also the only candidate for the post of prime minister.  

Pita Limjaroenrat. Sakchai Lalit / AP  

The change of power in Thailand 

The favorite does not receive the support of the Thai parliament  

 

The Thai election winner Pita Limjaroenrat does not receive support as the new prime minister, according to AFP. Limjaroenrat, who leads the Kao Klai (Forward) party, is not approved by the partially military-run parliament. 

 

Yesterday, the pro-democracy big favorite Limjaroenrat encountered setbacks at the last moment. His party has vowed to review strict defamation laws surrounding the Thai royal family. This has caused the country's Constitutional Court to announce that it must be examined whether the politician has thus been guilty of breach of majesty.  

 

In addition to reforming the laws on the royal house, Limjaroenrat has also wanted to abolish the military's political influence.  

 

To become prime minister, Limjaroenrat needed 64 votes in addition to those he had already gathered with his eight-party strong coalition.  

 

Pita Limjaro became leader of the Forward party which became the largest party in the election in Thailand. Sakchai Lalit / AP

  

Prime Ministerial elections in Thailand are expected to be turbulent  

 

Today, Thailand's parliament votes to elect a new prime minister, and it could be turbulent, writes The Guardian. 

During Wednesday, a report was received against Pita Limjaroenrat, who is the leader of Thailand's largest party Forward, that he and his party allegedly violated Thailand's strict majesty law.  

 

Pita has also previously been accused by his political opponents of concealing the ownership of shares in a media company during the election period - something that is illegal in Thailand. Pita himself says that the shares do not belong to him but to his father's estate, says SR correspondent Peder Gustafsson in P1 Morgon.  

 

Supporters of the Forward party have come out and said they will demonstrate to get parliament to vote for Pita as prime minister. The vote takes place today at 12 noon Swedish time.