Thai parliament blocks Pita's second prime ministerial bid
Court orders Pita be suspended as a lawmaker amid key vote
BANGKOK -- The Thai parliament on Wednesday blocked Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat's second nomination as a prime minister candidate after he failed to winthe necessary majority in a first round of voting last week.
In a parliamentary vote on whether Pita could be renominated, 394 lawmakers agreed Pita could not be renominated while 312 disagreed. Eight abstained and one did not vote.
Once again, Pita was the sole nominee for prime minister, though that nomination was immediately challenged. Conservative representatives and senators called Pita's renomination a repeat motion, which are against parliamentary rules.
The parliament adjourned without holding a prime ministerial vote.
On the same day, the constitutional court suspended Pita as a member of parliament over his shareholdings in a defunct media company. Thailand's constitution bars anyone owning media stocks from running for the House of Representatives.