Thailand to hold new PM vote next week after court dismisses Pita's renomination
Thailand's Parliament is gearing up for another round of voting to pick a prime minister. The Constitutional Court has rejected a request from the election-winning Move Forward, which challenged parliament's decision to block the re-nomination of its leader Pita Limjaroenrat for the top job. This kills off any hope of the progressive party leading the next government. Pheu Thai, which has taken over the reins from Move Forward in forming the next government coalition, will nominate its candidate -- property tycoon Srettha Thavisin -- and hopes to have enough votes to see it through.
Thai political deadlock drags on as prime minister vote delayed indefinitely
Thailand's political deadlock drags on -- the parliamentary vote to select a new premier has been delayed indefinitely, pending a court decision. The Constitutional Court will decide in mid-August whether a prime minister candidate can stand for a vote more than once. The election-winning Move Forward Party has been excluded from a new government coalition by the runner-up Pheu Thai. It has now been over 80 days since May's election was surprisingly won by Move Forward.
Former PM Thaksin to return to Thailand next month after 15 years in exile
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to return to the kingdom in just over two weeks, after spending more than 15 years abroad in self-exile. His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, announced this on social media in commemoration of his birthday. The 74-year-old -- who is said to be currently in Hong Kong -- was ousted by a military coup in 2006. Mr Thaksin remains a relevant figure in Thailand. His return "coincides" with the current political vacuum: Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of his old party, is currently attempting to form a new government.
Thai parliament votes to block Pita Limjaroenrat's renomination bid for PM
Thailand's political void remains, with the parliament yet to settle on its next prime minister. This comes after lawmakers voted to disqualify leading candidate Pita Limjaroenrat from a second shot at the position. This is likely to be the end of the road for the leader of the party that took the most votes in elections in May.
Thai Constitutional Court suspends PM frontrunner Pita as MP, as hopes for PM bid fade
The hopes of Pita Limjaroenrat to become Thai Prime Minister in his second attempt have taken a massive setback as the Constitutional Court has accepted a case accusing him of holding media shares while running for office, which is against election laws. Thus he's suspended as MP, though he still can be nominated as Prime Minister.
Can Move Forward leader Pita succeed in second Thai PM vote?
Thailand's Parliament is set to hold another ballot to pick a new prime minister tomorrow. Last week, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to get enough votes, after military-appointed senators of the Upper House blocked his bid. Even though the eight-party coalition has confirmed to nominate him again, there's now doubt whether he can get a second attempt. The conservative anti-Pita faction has argued that a motion that has been rejected cannot be resubmitted in the parliamentary term. They have argued that Mr Pita's nomination is a motion that has failed.
PM frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure enough votes in Parliament
Thailand will have to face a longer wait for a new prime minister after frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat failed to secure enough support to claim the premiership. Despite being unopposed in the contest, the Move Forward Party leader was hit with a host of abstentions and votes against him, falling short of a simple majority of 375.
Thai Parliament Convenes to Vote on New Prime Minister
Thailand's parliament has convened to vote for the country's next prime minister. The floor is now open for six hours of debate Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat bid to become the next Thai leader. Mr Pita's leadership bid faced a major setback ahead of the poll with two major legal challenges lodged against him.
Thai parliament names veteran politician as new House Speaker
Thailand's new parliament named a new House Speaker as it began its first session today. This puts an end to weeks of tense negotiations between the two biggest parties of the Move Forward-led coalition, and takes the country one step closer to the formation of a new government. All three speaker positions were filled by parties of the Move Forward-led coalition. But the top job did not go to Move Forward or Pheu Thai -- it went to 79-year-old Wan Muhamad Noor Matha of the Prachachart Party. He was the consensus nominee of all the eight-party coalition and ran unopposed.
Thai King opens parliament as Move Forward looks to lead new government
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has opened the country's first parliamentary session since the progressive Move Forward Party won elections two months ago. Lawmakers now must form a new government, which will then vote to elect a prime minister. In his opening address, the King reminded lawmakers to put the needs of the nation first. MPs will start proceedings tomorrow to elect a House Speaker, but the two leading parties are in dispute over the post. Move Forward has named its candidate, but Pheu Thai said it should get to choose the seat of the head of the legislature.
Move Forward's Pita Limjaroenrat says he has enough support to become Thai PM
The frontrunner to be Thailand’s next prime minister, Pita Limjaroenrat, has said that he has enough support to be voted in for the top job.
Key ASEAN members skip Thai-hosted Myanmar talks amid criticism
Thailand is hosting "informal talks" with Myanmar's military government in a bid to find a way out of the post-coup crisis. Bangkok has been pushing to re-engage Myanmar's generals, but some key ASEAN members, including Indonesia, declined an invitation to the meeting. Still, Thailand's foreign ministry said "high-level" representatives from Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam, India and China are expected to attend.
#ThaiElection23: MPs-elect confirmed, paving way for new parliament to assemble
Thailand's Election Commission has ratified the results of the May 14 General Elections, confirmed all 500 MPs-elect. This paves the way for the new parliament to convene within two weeks and the vote on a new Prime Minister shortly after that.
Thai election commission to probe PM frontrunner Pita
Thailand’s Move Forward Party is crying foul against what it sees as efforts to hinder it from forming the next government, after its victory in last month’s election. It held a news conference after the Election Commission threw out complaints alleging its leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat had violated the election law.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Thailand chooses change as a new coalition takes shape but will it work?
A record voter turnout in Thailand’s 2023 election saw the rise of the Move Forward party and a clear decline of former general Prayut Chan-o-cha. Steve Lai speaks to Saksith Saiyasombut on the state of play now and whether the charismatic Pita Limjaroenrat can forge a strong coalition and win enough support from rival MPs or the appointed senators to form a government.
Thai politics: Tussle between Move Forward and Pheu Thai over House Speaker position
There are signs that all may not be well for Thailand's coalition government-in-waiting. A tussle has emerged between Move Forward and Pheu Thai over who will take the prized role of House Speaker in a future parliament. Meanwhile, the country's election commission has released final results from the May 14 election, with Move Forward keeping its position as the clear winner, garnering 151 seats. The eight-party coalition now accounts for 312 seats in the 500-seat parliament.
Thailand's opposition coalition signs MOU, outlines new direction for country
Thailand's opposition parties are charting a new future for the country, one that leaves behind almost a decade of military rule. The Move Forward Party and its coalition partners have signed a memorandum of understanding. The document outlines their key policy objectives.
Earlier report
Thailand's Move Forward announces 8-party coalition, but leader Pita faces hurdles to be PM
The Move Forward Party is forging ahead with plans to form Thailand's next government. An alliance of eight opposition parties is seeking to draft a memorandum of understanding -- one that will see Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat as their choice for prime minister. With all these parties together, that brings the tally to 313 out of 500 seats in the Lower House of Representatives. That is not enough in the vote of a prime minister, because that involves the Upper House, which consists of 250 senators appointed by the previous military government.
#ThaiElection23: Move Forward announces coalition proposal to form next government
Thailand's military-backed government is out, while pro-democracy parties are in following the elections. But the make up of the country's incoming government is anything but certain. Winning opposition party Move Forward is moving to form a coalition. Its proposed combination includes runner-up Pheu Thai Party, which said it is considering joining the alliance.