Pita vows to run again

[reader]

From AFP

Thwarted Thai election winner Pita Limjaroenrat vowed Thursday to run for prime minister again, defying conservative forces that blocked him from the job earlier in the year and despite a looming court case.

The 43-year-old led his Move Forward Party (MFP) to a shock first-place finish in May’s general election, buoyed by young and urban Thais weary of a near-decade of military rule — only to be prevented from becoming premier by royalist and pro-military blocs opposed to his reformist agenda.

MFP’s former allies Pheu Thai then formed a coalition government with army-linked parties, leaving the progressive challengers back on the opposition bench — and Pita perhaps in the political wilderness.

He also faces a legal challenge thrown at him in the wake of the election, which could see him banned from running for years.

But in an interview with AFP, he vowed to take another tilt at the premiership. “Of course. I’m not giving up, and it’s just a matter of time,” he said when asked if he planned to run again.  But there are a number of roadblocks in his way — not least his current suspension as an MP.

MFP won the most seats in the May 14 poll, but fell short of an outright majority and joined forces with Pheu Thai.

But a prime minister candidate needs a majority across both houses of parliament, and Pita could not muster enough votes to overcome opposition in the junta-appointed Senate.

[Marc in Calif]

13 hours ago, reader said:

From AFP

Thwarted Thai election winner Pita Limjaroenrat vowed Thursday to run for prime minister again, defying conservative forces that blocked him from the job earlier in the year and despite a looming court case.

The 43-year-old led his Move Forward Party (MFP) to a shock first-place finish in May’s general election, buoyed by young and urban Thais weary of a near-decade of military rule — only to be prevented from becoming premier by royalist and pro-military blocs opposed to his reformist agenda.

In my humble opinion, Pita is one of the most handsome men -- of any age -- in all of Asia!