Thailand: Protests in Bangkok demand senators' resignation

Protests in Bangkok against lawmakers not voting to elect prime minister .

Thai media reported on July 16 that about 700 people using 500 cars and motorbikes participated in a protest in central Bangkok on the afternoon of July 16 to demand that senators who did not vote for the prime minister on July 13 should resign.

Protesters gathered at the Democracy Monument and then moved to the military and police headquarters.

Leading the protest, activist Arnon Nampa said that if those senators had resigned, the Forward Moving Party (MFP) prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat could have overcome the majority threshold from the House of Representatives and the Senate to become prime minister.

Mr Arnon also called on senators to vote for Mr Pita in the next round of prime ministerial elections.

In the Thai National Assembly meeting on July 13, 205 out of 249 senators participated in the election of prime minister, of which only 13 senators supported Mr. Pita for the position of head of government.

This caused Mr. Pita to receive only 324 votes in favor and failed to overcome the majority (375 votes) to become prime minister.

Meanwhile, also on July 16, a number of MPs from the Progressive Party (MFP) confirmed that the MFP will push for amendments to Article 112 of the Penal Code (also known as the “Law on Lèse-majesté”) because this is what the party pledged during the election campaign and was supported by voters.

Speaking on social media, MFP MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn stressed: "If we break our promise to come to power, the people will abandon and even curse us."

Besides, Mr. Wiroj pledged that the amendment of Article 112 of the Penal Code will be carried out carefully, all relevant parties will have their say and the MFP will amend it according to the regulations of the Thai Parliament.

Meanwhile, MFP Bangkok MP Sasinan Thammanithinan said amending the “Legal Order” may not be a priority in the first few years of the new government , but the MFP at least wants to start the process.

The above message was given by MFP MPs in the context of some opinions that the MFP party should withdraw the plan to amend Article 112 to receive support from MPs for the prime minister position of candidate Pita Limjaroensuk./.

According to VNA

Source link