(14 May 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok - 14 May 2023
1. Various of Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat greeting celebrating supporters, surrounded by media
2. Wide of party leader Pita at news conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward Party leader:
“To have the ability to form a majority government coalition. At least there are only two parties that have passed the 100th milestone. The incumbent did not manage to pass that at all, so I think the probability of a minority government is almost zero now.”
4. Wide of Pita during news conference
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward party leader:
“It is definitely on the cards, before and after the election results. I think we have proved time and time again that if we form it together we will be able to answer all the challenges that the country is facing. I think there are still unresolved details that we have to look at as the vote count is coming in, and then we will see how to press it forward.”
6. Wide of media
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward Party leader:
“I think that’s part of the promises we made to the Thai public and it’s a part of a law that has to be amended in the parliament. So no matter what we will push for the royal lese majeste law (criticism of monarchy) reform in the parliament. So it’s not going to be a question whether to do it or not, we’ll push for it.”
8. Mid of media
9. Various of Pita leaving room, surrounded by media
STORYLINE:
The leader of Thailand’s progressive Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat celebrated with ecstatic supporters late Sunday, as early results from the country’s general election showed it running a strong second, close behind the juggernaut Pheu Thai party.
Limjaroenrat was feted and greeted with shouts of “Prime Minister!” at the party headquarters.
With half the votes counted, Move Forward claimed 21% of the 400 constituency seats and 24% of the 100 members chosen by proportional representation.
The United Thai Nation party of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha lagged well behind.
Pita told the media the performance meant that the parties seen as opposed to the military domination of Thai politics – Move Forward and Pheu Thai - should be in a position to form a majority coalition government.
The party’s hugely popular with younger people, thanks to a progressive agenda that challenges many of the beliefs of the ultra-conservative establishment.
This includes a pledge to reform the lese majeste law that brings heavy penalties against anyone deemed to have offended the revered monarchy.
Their stance has been seen as a key factor limiting their ability to challenge for power. Pita made it clear, Sunday, they would not compromise on the issue.
“I think that’s part of the promises we made to the Thai public and it’s a part of a law that has to be amended in the parliament, so no matter what we will push for the royal lese majeste law reform in the parliament," he said.
The prime minister will be selected in July in a joint session of the House and the 250-seat Senate. The winner must secure at least 376 votes and no party is likely to do that on its own.
The participation of the Senate – appointed by the military junta that took power in a 2014 coup - is potentially a decisive factor and leaves the door open to a military-aligned candidate, despite what appears to be a poor showing at the ballot box.
AP Video shot by Jerry Harmer
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