Don't count out Pita just yet

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MFP launches new agenda despite court threat

May 19, 2024

The Move Forward Party (MFP) aims to win between 270-300 MP seats in the next election and has outlined a six-point agenda to overhaul the country.

At the main opposition party’s first Policy Fest in Bangkok on Sunday, Pita Limjaroenrat, its advisory chairman and list MP, said the MFP has carved out an agenda that contains solutions to immediate, priority issues to reform the country.

The policy would involve pushing for economic growth, cultivating knowledge to keep up with the changing world, upgrading the quality of life in rural developments, comprehensive bureaucratic reform and realising a full-fledged democracy.

"I believe we can turn challenges into energy to drive the country forward," he said.

“Like us or loathe us, we all faced the reality of the lost decade under the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration which seized and remained in power until last year’s election.

“There’s no denying the MFP won the polls fair and square. [The party] did not spend a single baht buying votes,” he added.

Mr Pita insisted the MFP did not mind being in the opposition wing.

In fact, he said, working opposite the government with a pro-active approach may prove to be even more productive.

In a democracy, an active opposition can also be a source of hope for the people.

He admitted the MFP still has a long way to go to improve itself.

However, it must win the trust and confidence of the people and to do that, the party might need to capture the majority by winning at least 270 MP seats or even better, 300 seats, in the next election, Mr Pita said.

That target doubles the 151 seats the MFP took in last year’s election. There are 500 MP seats up for grabs in the House of Representatives.

The MFP chief adviser said an effective government should direct agenda-centric rather than ministry-initiated policies.

Meanwhile, Mr Pita said the party was ready to file additional documents after the Constitutional Court agreed to extend the deadline in the party's dissolution case by another 15 days to June 2.

The Election Commission (EC) petitioned for the MFP’s dissolution after a Constitutional Court ruling on Jan 31 that said the MFP’s push for changes to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, indicated an intention to undermine the constitutional monarchy.

Mr Pita said if the MFP was dissolved, he was confident its MPs will move to a new party.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... urt-threat

[Gaybutton]

In a recent popularity poll, Pita still vastly outshines all others who might be Prime Minister, including the current Prime Minister, Srettha. Pita's poll numbers are greater than the total of the others listed combined. However, based on the latest election, who the majority of Thais want for their Prime Minister has little bearing on who actually becomes Prime Minister. The way it turned out, it wasn't my idea of an election, but more of simply a survey - and the results didn't matter. Do the results matter now? Somehow I doubt it.

Of course, in the USA the popular vote numbers in presidential elections don't mean all that much either. It's the electoral votes that count. Hillary Clinton received many more popular votes than Trump, but Trump got the majority of electoral votes, which is how he became President in the first place.
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Srettha distant fourth in popularity poll

Pheu Thai would be overwhelmed by Move Forward if elections were held soon

May 27, 2024

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has accepted the result of a new poll showing him in a distant fourth place among those positioned to take the job, saying that he respects the people's opinion.

The prime minister was responding to questions about the survey conducted by King Prajadhipok's Institute. He said the delayed passage of the budget was not an excuse for his poor popularity.

"The survey reflects the opinions of the people. We have to respect the results," he said.

The poll released on Sunday showed him in fourth place with only 8.7% support in a list of seven candidates for the premiership if a general election were called soon.

Move Forward Party chief adviser Pita Limjaroenrat comfortably led the list, followed by former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnviraul, former Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit and Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwon were behind him.

Favourites for prime minister

* Pita Limjaroenrat 46.9%
* Prayut Chan-o-cha 17.7%
* Paetongtarn Shinawatra 10.5%
* Srettha Thavisin 8.7%
* Anutin Charnviraul 3.3%
* Jurin Laksanawisit 1.7%
* Gen Prawit Wongsuwon 0.4%

Move Forward would win 208 seats if elections were held soon, almost twice as many as Pheu Thai with an estimated 105 seats. Bhumjaithai would get 61 seats, followed by the Thai Nation Party, 34, Gen Prawit's party with 30 seats and the Democrats with merely 22 seats.

The poll was conducted from May 7-18 with 1,620 resondents randomly picked from eligible voters in all provinces across the country, including Bangkok.

King Prajadhipok's Institute put the survey error rate at plus or minus 5%.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... arity-poll

[Gaybutton]

I hope this will help him become Thailand's Prime Minister. He is obviously who the people want.
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Pita and Move Forward see further rise in popularity: Nida Poll

by THE NATION

June 30, 2024

The popularity of the Move Forward Party and its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat further rose in the second popularity survey released by NIDA Poll on Sunday.

The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) carried out the survey from June 14 to 18 among 2,000 respondents at least 18 years old, from around the country.

The respondents were asked to pick a politician they wanted to become the prime minister now. Up to 45.5% picked Pita, who comfortably beat Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, whose popular rating dropped from 17.17% in the previous survey to 12.85%.

In the first popularity ratings survey by NIDA Poll from March 11 to 13, Pita had enjoyed 42.75% approval.

The popularity of Move Forward also rose from 48.45% in the first survey to 49.2% in the second survey while the Pheu Thai’s dropped from 22.1% to 16.85%.

The top five PM’s choice of the survey respondents:

45.5%: Pita:

20.55%: No satisfactory choice

12.85%: Srettha

6.85%: Pirapan Salirathavibhaga (United Thai Nation Party leader)

4.85%: Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Pheu Thai leader)

The top five parties the respondents said they would vote for now:

49.2%: Move Forward

16.85%: Pheu Thai

15%: No satisfactory choice

7.55%: United Thai Nation

3.75%: Democrat Party

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40039255

[Gaybutton]

Many of you probably already know the Thai Constitutional Court ruled to dissolve the Move Forward party and has banned 11 of its leaders, including Pita, from holding political office for 10 years.

It will be interesting to see what happens next and how this will play out. Despite the court ruling, I find it hard to believe Pita will just fade away. Far from it. I think we will be hearing plenty from Pita and I doubt he has any intention of fading away.

Here are the details:
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Key Leaders of Move Forward Party Respond to Constitutional Court’s Dissolution Ruling

By Kittisak Phalaharn

8 August, 2024

At 6:10 PM on August 8th, 2024, Chaithawat Tulathon, former leader of the Move Forward Party, and Pita Limjaroenrat, former chief advisor, held a public speech with the party’s executive committee and MPs after the Constitutional Court ruled to dissolve the party.

Pita addressed the public, stating, “Today, I bid farewell as a politician, representative, and the top prime minister candidate. I return as a citizen, fighting alongside you all. Though they may remove me from the government, they cannot remove me from the hearts of the people. Thailand will never be the same.”

He continued, “We can be sad today, but tomorrow we move forward for the best government Thailand has ever had. We cannot become complacent with such injustices. These are tears of joy, knowing we gave it our all.”

Pita urged the public not to accept a system where coup-makers become ministers while elected leaders are banned. “By 2027, we must secure at least 270 seats. Then, we will ensure no party is dissolved again, and no more coups. Ultimate power belongs to the people.”

Sirikanya Tansakul, former deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, spoke about the future of their MPs, acknowledging the pain and unfairness but reaffirming their commitment to their mission. “As long as the people stand with us, we will continue our work to change this country.”

“On August 9th, we move to our new home together. We ask for your continued support,” Sirikanya added. She noted the irony of the dissolution on the day the party reached 100,000 members, urging all to join them in their new endeavor.

Regarding the new party, she emphasized that their ideology remains unchanged. “Our new party, regardless of its name, will carry on the mission of the Move Forward Party. We adapt and evolve, but our core principles stay the same.”

Furthermore, Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the United States Department of State, issued an official statement regarding the dissolution of the MFP:

The United States is deeply concerned by Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruling today ordering the dissolution of the Move Forward Party and the banning of 11 of its leaders from politics.

This decision disenfranchises the more than 14 million Thais who voted for the Move Forward Party in the May 2023 election and raises questions about their representation within Thailand’s electoral system. The Constitutional Court’s decision also jeopardizes Thailand’s democratic progress and runs counter to the aspirations of the Thai people for a strong, democratic future.

Inclusive political participation strengthens social cohesion and is a critical component of resilient national institutions. The United States does not take a position in support of any political party, but as a close ally and friend with deep and enduring ties, we urge Thailand to take actions to ensure fully inclusive political participation, and to protect democracy and the freedoms of association and expression.

Story and photos: https://tpnnational.com/2024/08/08/key- ... on-ruling/

[Jun]

I think we will be hearing plenty from Pita and I doubt he has any intention of fading away.

The obvious tactic is to campaign for reform of the constitution, rather than pursue other important matters.