Move Forward supporters have held a car rally in Bangkok, demanding the resignation of senators who were no-shows for last Thursday’s PM vote in Parliament. An online ‘cancel’ campaign also started over the weekend which including outing Senators #SenatorMistress with alleged extra-marital affairs, and #SenatorBusiness, targeting Senators’ businesses.
According to a Nation Thailand report, yesterday’s rally, was led by human rights lawyer and political activist, Anon Nampa (who was also heavily involved in the 2020 and 2021 street protests).
MFP supporters gathered at the Democracy Monument at 1pm and headed to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in the district of Pathum Wan. Protesters are calling for senators who failed to show for Thursday’s vote to step down.
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to get the 375 votes he needed to become PM, with a second vote scheduled for Wednesday, July 19.
During last week’s vote, there were 206 senators out of 249 present. Of those who showed, only 13 voted for Pita, while 34 voted against him and 159 abstained from voting. Nation Thailand reports that the supreme commander, the chiefs of Thailand’s 3 armed forces, and the National Police Chief (all given Senate posts) were all absent.
Anon says protesters want senators to respect the will of the people, which was clearly expressed in the May 14 general election, in which the Move Forward Party won the most votes.
“This activity is meant to step up pressure on senators. We want to remind senators and MPs to have the right political conscience. And we want to tell all Thais to realise the importance of their votes.”
According to Anon, Pita’s failure to secure the PM spot during last week’s vote is equivalent to “Thai citizens being robbed of the votes they cast”.
“So, the people should join forces to fight again so their choice of government can be formed to run the country.”
Anon added that if Pita’s PM bid fails again in the second round of voting this week, the 8-party coalition led by Move Forward must stay united and push for his election, as he has the most entitlement to become Thailand’s PM.
He believes it’s unlikely that coalition partners will ditch Move Forward as they could not justify this move to their supporters.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
