Thailand’s next leader faces hefty task to rebuild confidence after Pita’s exit

THESE are unique, uncertain and interesting times in Thailand. Eleven weeks after the last general election was held, the country remains deep in a political deadlock that continues to drag on with seemingly no end in sight.

The leader of the surprise election winner Move Forward party, Pita Limjaroenrat, has had his chances of becoming the next prime minister dashed. This came after he was twice rejected in parliament by the conservative, military-appointed senators who delivered a firm rebuke to his ideals and agendas, including the plan to amend a law that punishes those who insult the monarchy with up to 15 years in prison.

Compounding matters was his suspension as a member of parliament by the Constitutional Court, due to allegations that he broke election rules by owning shares in a media company.