BANGKOK: Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday cleared thwarted prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat in a case that could lead to his disqualification as a Member of Parliament (MP).
The 43-year-old led the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) to secure the most votes in last year’s general election, but was barred from becoming prime minister after he was suspended as an MP in July.
His party was excluded from the governing coalition after the strong establishment in the country was spooked by the MFP’s calls to reform the kingdom’s strict royal laws, the military and business monopolies.
The Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday by eight votes to one that Pita had not broken rules banning members of parliament from owning shares in media companies.
The case involved shares in the long-defunct ITV television station, which Pita claims he inherited from his father when he died.
Judge Punya Udchachon said in reading the court’s verdict in the case that ITV was not operating as media company on the day the party submitted the respondent’s name for election.
The court observed that holding the shares did not violate the law and does not end the MP status of Pita.
Soon after the ruling dozens of MFP supporters wearing the party’s orange colours cheered and chanted “PM Pita”. Earlier, Pita expressed his confidence in the court and thanked the MFP supporters.
This legal battle echoes a 2019 case involving Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a popular progressive Thai politician disqualified as an MP for holding media shares. Thanathorn’s party, the predecessor of MFP, was dissolved, triggering pro-democracy protests.
Pita’s candidacy energized young and urban Thais during the 2023 election, challenging the political landscape dominated by military influence. MFP’s commitment to reform royal insult laws, tackle business monopolies, and curb military influence garnered unexpected support, placing them ahead of veteran political players.
Keywords: Court, Disqualification, Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, Prime Minister, Thailand
