Thailand braces for protests, tussle for PM job as Pita is blocked

Supporters of the Move Forward Party gathering at Democracy Monument during a protest in Bangkok on July 19, 2023. - AP

BANGKOK (Bloomberg): Thailand is set for more political upheaval after Pita Limjaroenrat was barred by parliament from running for prime minister Wednesday (July 19), angering his supporters and opening the door for his coalition partners to seek the top job.

Thailand’s parliament will convene on July 27 to vote again on the country’s new prime minister. Pita, the leader of the party that won the May general election, was blocked from heading the next government with lawmakers deciding he cannot be nominated again - his first attempt to get parliament’s backing last week failed as conservative parties and the military-appointed Senate voted against him.