Following a decisive defeat of Thailand’s old guard establishment in yesterday’s general election, the leader of the Move Forward Party says he’s ready to be PM. According to a Nation Thailand report, 42 year old Pita Limjaroenrat took to Twitter at 2am this morning to thank supporters.
“Dear fellow citizens, today I, Pita Limjaroenrat, am ‘clear’ and ‘ready’ to be the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand. We share the same dreams and hopes, and we believe that the Thailand we love can be better.”
Harvard-educated Pita went on to acknowledge those who are not Move Forward supporters, pledging to work for everyone, no matter their political allegiance.
“Change is possible if we start doing it from today. Our dreams and hopes are ‘simple and straightforward’. And whether you agree or disagree with me, I will be your prime minister. Whether you voted for me or not, I will serve you.”
As of 10am this morning, 99% of the votes have been counted, with Move Forward winning 112 out 400 MP seats and 14.1 million votes for party-list MPs. They are closely followed by the Pheu Thai Party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former PM, Thaksin Shinawatra, with 112 constituency seats, but only 10.8 million party-list votes.
In third place is the Bhumjaithai Party, led by incumbent health minister and deputy PM, Anutin Charnvirakul. Bhumjaithai won 68 constituency MP seats, while the military-backed Palang Pracharath Party came fourth, with 39 constituency MPs.
The United Thai Nation Party, led by incumbent PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, came third in the party-list voting, garnering 4.67 million votes, while Bhumjaithai got 1.12 million.
Meanwhile, Nation Thailand reports that Pita has confirmed the Move Forward Party will hold a press conference at noon today. The leader also confirmed that he will head to Bangkok’s Democracy Monument at 5.30pm today to thank supporters.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
