Thailand’s Move Forward Party leader Pita falls short in parliamentary vote for prime minister

By GRANT PECK and JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of the progressive Thai political party that outpaced its rivals to a surprise first-place finish in May’s general election has failed in his initial bid to have Parliament name him the country’s new prime minister. The vote of a joint session Thursday of the 500-seat House of Representatives and 250-seat Senate saw Pita Limjaroenrat win 324 votes, short of the majority of 376 needed to become prime minister. His Move Forward Party placed first in the May 14 election and heads an eight-party coalition that together had won 312 seats, a healthy majority in the lower house. Strong opposition in the Senate, whose members are overwhelmingly conservative and opposed to reform of the monarchy, seemingly doomed Pita’s chances in this initial vote.