Thailand's House Speaker announced on Thursday that the parliamentary vote for the next Prime Minister, which was expected this week, has been indefinitely postponed. This decision has extended the ongoing political deadlock since the general election in mid-May.
The delay came shortly after the Constitutional Court requested more time to consider a petition challenging the constitutionality of Parliament's rejection of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as a prime ministerial candidate.
Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that the PM vote, originally planned for Friday, would only proceed after the court ruling. He informed reporters, "There will be a ruling or order on Aug. 16, and we will set a new meeting then."
In a statement, the Constitutional Court clarified that it needed to carefully weigh the petition in the context of Thailand's "democracy with the king as the head of the state."
On July 19, conservative and pro-royal members of the upper house Senate utilized a parliamentary rule to block a second vote on Pita's nomination for prime minister, plunging Thailand into a political standstill with no apparent resolution in sight.
Despite securing the largest share of votes in the May 14 polls, Move Forward Party's progressive policies, particularly their ambitious plan to amend the Lèse-Majesté law that guards against royal defamation, have faced strong opposition from Thailand's traditional ruling elite.
The delay came shortly after the Constitutional Court requested more time to consider a petition challenging the constitutionality of Parliament's rejection of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as a prime ministerial candidate.
Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that the PM vote, originally planned for Friday, would only proceed after the court ruling. He informed reporters, "There will be a ruling or order on Aug. 16, and we will set a new meeting then."
In a statement, the Constitutional Court clarified that it needed to carefully weigh the petition in the context of Thailand's "democracy with the king as the head of the state."
On July 19, conservative and pro-royal members of the upper house Senate utilized a parliamentary rule to block a second vote on Pita's nomination for prime minister, plunging Thailand into a political standstill with no apparent resolution in sight.
Despite securing the largest share of votes in the May 14 polls, Move Forward Party's progressive policies, particularly their ambitious plan to amend the Lèse-Majesté law that guards against royal defamation, have faced strong opposition from Thailand's traditional ruling elite.
After Pita's second attempt at becoming Prime Minister was blocked, he agreed to step aside, allowing Pheu Thai, one of his allies, to nominate one of their leaders for the position.
However, Pheu Thai has now withdrawn its support for Pita and his party. Many young Thais had pinned their hopes on Move Forward, anticipating that it would bring about Thailand's first government without military ties since the 2014 coup.
Recently, Pheu Thai announced its plan to form a new alliance without Move Forward and nominate Srettha Thavisin as its candidate for Prime Minister. The main reason cited for this decision was Move Forward's pledge to reform the royal insult law, which made other parties and Senators reluctant to back the coalition.
It remains unclear which parties will join the new alliance, but Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew expressed confidence in finding the necessary support to form the government. Pheu Thai has already initiated discussions with military-aligned parties that were associated with the previous government, including rival parties Palang Pracharath Party, the United Thai Nation Party, and Bhumjaithai.
Although there will be no Prime Ministerial vote on Friday, Parliament will discuss Move Forward Party's motion to amend the 2017 Constitution, a military-backed charter that empowers the Senate to participate in selecting the Prime Minister along with the lower house.
However, Pheu Thai has now withdrawn its support for Pita and his party. Many young Thais had pinned their hopes on Move Forward, anticipating that it would bring about Thailand's first government without military ties since the 2014 coup.
Recently, Pheu Thai announced its plan to form a new alliance without Move Forward and nominate Srettha Thavisin as its candidate for Prime Minister. The main reason cited for this decision was Move Forward's pledge to reform the royal insult law, which made other parties and Senators reluctant to back the coalition.
It remains unclear which parties will join the new alliance, but Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew expressed confidence in finding the necessary support to form the government. Pheu Thai has already initiated discussions with military-aligned parties that were associated with the previous government, including rival parties Palang Pracharath Party, the United Thai Nation Party, and Bhumjaithai.
Although there will be no Prime Ministerial vote on Friday, Parliament will discuss Move Forward Party's motion to amend the 2017 Constitution, a military-backed charter that empowers the Senate to participate in selecting the Prime Minister along with the lower house.
