The change of power in Thailand

Pita Limjaroenrat. Sakchai Lalit / AP  

 

Thailand's parliament votes down election winner Pita  

 

Pita Limjaroenrat is not released as the new prime minister in Thailand, AP reports. That after Thailand's parliament voted no on Wednesday's vote, despite Pita's Kao Klai party overwhelmingly winning the election held in May.  

 

To stand a chance against the current power in Thailand, which is held by the country's military establishment, a coalition was created with Pita's party and seven other parties. Pita failed to get the votes of the senators in the upper house, who are appointed by the military. Votes needed to be elected Prime Minister.  

 

Thailand has been ruled by the military establishment since a military coup in 2014. 

 

 

Pita Limjaroenrat leader of the Kao Klai (Forward) party. Sakchai Lalit / AP  

 

The election winner suspended from the parliament in Thailand  

 

Thailand's Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat from the country's parliament, reports AFP. This is because he is being investigated for violating the electoral laws.  

 

The decision comes just before Thailand's parliament is due to hold a planned prime ministerial vote, which Pita Limjaroenrat lost last week. Pita's Kao Klai (Forward) party won the most votes in the May election but has failed to win over senators in the upper house appointed by the military. Something that is needed to get a majority in parliament and thus win the vote.  

 

Pita Limjaroenrat has denied the allegations.

 

 Protests in Bangkok after parliament rejected Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. Wason Wanichakorn / AP  

The change of power in Thailand 

Speaker: Pita's chances to lead Thailand are over  

Thailand's parliament will hold a new vote to appoint a prime minister next week, which may not include the winner Pita Limjaroenrat, Reuters reports.  

- A candidate can only be nominated once in each parliamentary session, Deputy Speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan told Reuters on Thursday.  

Parliament decided on Wednesday to deny Pita's candidacy for the second time, two months after his Kao Klai party won the election by a landslide. It sparked angry street protests in Thailand. Pita is accused of violating election laws Reuters