"Thai Parliament Denies Party Leader's Renomination for Prime Minister Post"

The Thai Parliament has blocked Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, from being renominated for the position of prime minister. Pita's nomination was defeated in a joint vote of the House and Senate last week, and a motion to deny him a second chance was passed by Parliament. Additionally, the Constitutional Court has suspended him from Parliament pending its ruling on whether he violated election law. Pita's party has pledged to amend a law that makes it illegal to defame Thailand's royal family, and seeks to reduce the influence of the military and big business monopolies.