The parliamentary session held on July 13 saw discussions on proposed amendments to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as Article 112, which pertains to the monarchy in Thailand. Notably, the opposition members, mainly senators and MPs from the former ruling coalition, accused the Move Forward party of attempting to undermine the monarchy through these proposed amendments. This was in line with previous statements from royalist senators and members of parliament who expressed their unwillingness to vote for Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister if he persisted with the amendment of Article 112.
The session commenced at 10:00 a.m. with the nomination of Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward party, as a candidate for the position of Thailand's new prime minister by Chonlanan Srikaew, the leader of the Pheu Thai party, which was involved in the formation of the government. Subsequently, several deputies and senators took turns addressing the assembly.
The speakers who were not part of the government criticized Pita and the Move Forward party for their strict adherence to Article 112. Only a few individuals mentioned the issue of Pita's ownership of ITV shares, which is currently under consideration by the Constitutional Court.
Senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, one of the speakers, opposed the amendment to Article 112, arguing that it would result in defamation and unfair criticism on social media platforms. He believed that such changes would undermine the constitutional protection afforded to the monarchy, potentially leading to blasphemy charges against anyone accused under Article 112. According to Kamnoon, this would diminish the respect that should be accorded to these revered institutions.
The session commenced at 10:00 a.m. with the nomination of Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward party, as a candidate for the position of Thailand's new prime minister by Chonlanan Srikaew, the leader of the Pheu Thai party, which was involved in the formation of the government. Subsequently, several deputies and senators took turns addressing the assembly.
The speakers who were not part of the government criticized Pita and the Move Forward party for their strict adherence to Article 112. Only a few individuals mentioned the issue of Pita's ownership of ITV shares, which is currently under consideration by the Constitutional Court.
Senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, one of the speakers, opposed the amendment to Article 112, arguing that it would result in defamation and unfair criticism on social media platforms. He believed that such changes would undermine the constitutional protection afforded to the monarchy, potentially leading to blasphemy charges against anyone accused under Article 112. According to Kamnoon, this would diminish the respect that should be accorded to these revered institutions.
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Pita requested the opportunity to refute and challenge the allegations made by Kamnoon and other members. He clarified that the amendment of Article 112 was not part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the 8-party agreement. The 8-Party Agreement was formed to establish the executive branch, with legislative amendments falling within the responsibility of the legislative branch. Pita emphasized that the meeting primarily concerned the election of the prime minister, not legislative changes. Nonetheless, he expressed his willingness to listen and exhibit patience.
He explained that good leaders in the country must display patience, restraint, and the ability to listen to accusations, whether true or false. Pita believed that dignified communication, devoid of vulgar language, and using just causes to achieve results would be the way forward in resolving conflicts.
Furthermore, Pita asserted his comprehensive qualifications in various fields and his self-control. He highlighted that he had submitted his qualifications for scrutiny by the Election Commission since his initial run for Member of Parliament and would continue to do so in the future, contrasting it with someone who had not undergone similar scrutiny, without explicitly naming General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
However, it appears that most senators did not accept Pita's reasoning.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, previously stated that if Pita, the candidate from the Move Forward Party, failed to secure the required 376 votes to become the prime minister on July 13, a second vote would be held on July 19. There was no limitation on the majority party nominating Pita again.
While Pita accepted the outcome, he expressed his determination not to give up. His team would strategize on how to garner more votes in the next vote. He also reaffirmed the Move Forward Party's commitment to the original proposal of amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code and forming a government with the Pheu Thai Party.
Outside the parliament building, security measures were implemented with the installation of barbed wire and metal sheets to prevent protesters from accessing a pedestrian overpass at Kiak Kai Intersection near the parliament. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police announced a ban on gatherings around the Parliament Building within a 50-meter radius from 6:00 a.m. on July 12 until midnight on July 15.
At the conclusion of the session, Pita fell short of securing the required 376 votes from the bicameral vote. The results showed 324 in favor, 182 against, and 199 abstentions. Only 13 out of 250 junta-appointed senators voted in favor of Pita, while 43 did not participate in the vote.
He explained that good leaders in the country must display patience, restraint, and the ability to listen to accusations, whether true or false. Pita believed that dignified communication, devoid of vulgar language, and using just causes to achieve results would be the way forward in resolving conflicts.
Furthermore, Pita asserted his comprehensive qualifications in various fields and his self-control. He highlighted that he had submitted his qualifications for scrutiny by the Election Commission since his initial run for Member of Parliament and would continue to do so in the future, contrasting it with someone who had not undergone similar scrutiny, without explicitly naming General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
However, it appears that most senators did not accept Pita's reasoning.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, previously stated that if Pita, the candidate from the Move Forward Party, failed to secure the required 376 votes to become the prime minister on July 13, a second vote would be held on July 19. There was no limitation on the majority party nominating Pita again.
While Pita accepted the outcome, he expressed his determination not to give up. His team would strategize on how to garner more votes in the next vote. He also reaffirmed the Move Forward Party's commitment to the original proposal of amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code and forming a government with the Pheu Thai Party.
Outside the parliament building, security measures were implemented with the installation of barbed wire and metal sheets to prevent protesters from accessing a pedestrian overpass at Kiak Kai Intersection near the parliament. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police announced a ban on gatherings around the Parliament Building within a 50-meter radius from 6:00 a.m. on July 12 until midnight on July 15.
At the conclusion of the session, Pita fell short of securing the required 376 votes from the bicameral vote. The results showed 324 in favor, 182 against, and 199 abstentions. Only 13 out of 250 junta-appointed senators voted in favor of Pita, while 43 did not participate in the vote.
