Millions of Thais were gripped with suspense, misery, or delight seeing a Shakespearean display of political knives and an agonized 'Et tu Brute?' echoing in the hostile Senate when it voted twice to crush popular Pita Limjaroenrat's chances to .
Thailand's hopes to return to civilian democratic control after nearly a decade of military-dominated rule suffered a major setback Wednesday as the winner of May's national elections, progressive Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, was blocked again from forming a new government and simultaneously suspended from parliament by order of the country's Constitutional Court.
On the eve of the joint session of Thailand’s National Assembly to choose the next prime minister, the country’s highest court accepts to hear a complaint against the young leader who won the elections and his party, with the latter threatened with dissolution for lèse-majesté. With former military strongman and outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha retiring from political life, another military coup cannot be ruled out if disorder breaks out.
Thailand's push to restore civilian democratic rule after nearly a decade of de facto military control faces a critical test Thursday, as the junta-appointed Senate may be preparing to block the elections' big winner from forming a new government.