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Protesters burn a symbolic coffin during a protest against the Constitutional Court's decision to suspend Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat from his MP duties pending its ruling on whether he violated election law at the Democracy Monument on July 19, 2023.

Opinion: Silent Semi-Military Coup and the Normalization of Indirect Military Rule

What happened on July 13, and again on the past Wednesday, July 19, was nothing short of a silent semi-military coup which succeeded in twice rejecting and removing Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat from the PM race. It now will most likely succeed in pushing the party, which won the most seats in the general election, into the opposition camp and possibly more.
Leader of Move Forward Party and PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat during PM vote at the Parliament on Jul. 13, 2023.

Opinion: An Open Letter To Move Forward Party Supporters

Short of a miracle, the prospect of Pita Limjaroenrat becoming Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister is now nil. Although his name will most likely be nominated again for a second bicameral vote this coming Wednesday, the fact that only 13 out of the 250 junta-appointed senators voted for him when he needs 55 or so votes from them means it is unofficially over even before the second vote.
Supporters hug Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat before he enters the parliament on Jul. 4, 2023.

Opinion: What’s Plan B, Plan C and More If Pita Fails To Become PM?

On Thursday morning at 9am to be exact, parliamentarians will vote to select the new prime minister and Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat’s future will become clear, if not clearer.
Move Forward Party leader and PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat in Phuket province on June 9, 2023.

Opinion: What If Pita Is Rejected by the Junta-appointed Senate & Street Protests Resume?

With the parliament to reconvene on July 3, the voting for the new prime minister is not too far away now. Some prominent junta-appointed senators continue to claim that Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat will not be getting their support, or enough votes, and the possibility that Pita will not be chosen as the next PM is a lingering fear.
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat waves to his supporters in Samut Prakan province on May 26, 2023.

Opinion: The Fear of Pita and Move Forward Gov’t Explained

The Move Forward Party is new, and it has never been in power before. The  unknown factor has driven some to fear what is to come when (and if) the party is in charge, particularly if you are the elites and the upper middle class for the following reasons.
Pita Limjaroenrat, center, leader and PM candidate for Move Forward Party.

Opinion: Nine Years After 2014 Coup, The Charade Continues with Pita The New Target

A farce, a charade, a travesty of justice, ludicrous, shambolic, and absurd – these are some of the words described the reactions of some Thais and foreigners upon learning that the Election Commission on Friday has consider to take up the case on whether Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat has violated Article 151 of the election laws by holding ITV media shares.
A censor notice on True Visions cable TV. Photo: Thanyarat Doksone / Twitter

Opinion: Censorship and Loyalty to the Thai Monarchy

While one junta-appointed senator after another takes turn to publicly announce they would not vote for Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat as the next PM due to the party’s pledge to reform the lese majeste law, two troubling issues related to the law itself surfaced over the past week.

Opinion: Why Some Fear Thais Are Becoming Slave to the US

Former silver-screen superstar Jarunee Suksawat’s warning earlier this week that Thais may become “slaves of America” attracted frontpage news in many media and many readers, particularly young readers, who found it ludicrous and hilarious.
Pheu Thai PM candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanks her supporters during a press conference at Pheu Thai Party Headquarters on May 14, 2023.

Opinion: How Pheu Thai Lost to Move Forward

The Pheu Thai Party Headquarters early on the election night was unusually mute unlike four years ago as early poll results showed the party was neck-to-neck against rival opposition Move Forward Party.

Opinion: Thailand’s Election Day, Beyond, and What to Worry About

No matter what the results of today’s general election will be, there are at least three issues Thais will have to grapple with that...

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