Thai Court Suspends Reformist Election Winner Pita From Parliament

Despite his suspension as a member of parliament, he could still be elected prime minister.

The Thai election winner, Pita Limjaroenrat, has been suspended by the Constitutional Court in Bangkok as a member of parliament on Wednesday.

According to a statement released, the court granted a request by the Election Commission.

The decision became known while parliament debated the upcoming second vote on Mr Pita as the future head of government.

Mr Pita is being investigated over allegations that he owned shares in a media company during his run for office, which is illegal in Thailand.

According to him, the media company in question, whose shares came from his father’s estate, has been defunct for a long time.

Mr Pita’s progressive Move Forward Party was a clear winner in the parliamentary election in May.

Despite his suspension as a member of parliament, he could still be elected prime minister, according to media reports. 

But to achieve this, he must secure a majority from the lower house of parliament, made up of elected MPs, and from the military-dominated senate.

For a candidate not affiliated with the Army, campaigning on a platform of reforms that would separate the military from politics looks unlikely.

Mr Pita lost his first vote in parliament last week.