The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has set aside a space next to the parliament building to accommodate supporters of Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who are expected to show up in droves to offer moral support when the House and the Senate meet on Thursday to select Thailand’s next prime minister.
The space, where the BMA’s Kiak Kai administrative centre is located, is capable of accommodating up to 10,000 people. It will be equipped with tents and mobile toilets, provided by the city’s administration.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said today (Monday) that city officials are drafting an edict to open the space to be used for public expression, in line with the democratic system.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said today that he will meet with representatives of political parties and Senate whips, to brief them on parliamentary regulations for the joint sitting on Thursday.
Wan said there is no rule that requires a prime ministerial candidates to give a vision statement before the vote adding, however, that if this issue is raised by an MP or a senator, an approval must be obtained from the meeting.
As of now, Pita is the sole prime ministerial candidate from the coalition of eight parties, led by the Move Forward party.
Wan declined to comment about the report that the Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to meet today on whether to petition the Constitutional Court to rule on Pita’s status as an election candidate vis a vis his shareholding in iTV, a media company.
Meanwhile, the Move Forward party sent an urgent letter to the Office of the Election Commission today, voicing opposition to the EC’s plan to seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court.
Party Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon said the EC’s move is suspiciously hasty, noting that the EC has not provided a chance for Pita to defend himself first.
Latest reports indicate that the EC had extended an invitation for Pita to defend himself today.
Pita is reported to have owned 42,000 shares in iTV when he registered his election candidacy. Holding shares in a media entity is prohibited for election candidates.
The House speaker also declined to respond when asked about how senators will vote on Thursday, explaining that, as House speaker and president of the parliament, he must maintain impartiality.
