Thailand’s Pita fails to win vote for prime ministerAfter the military-backed Senate rejected Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, Thailand was staring down what could be another intense period of political unrest and nationwide protests. Pita, a former technology executive who had positioned himself as a champion of reform, was unable to muster enough support from senators. His party won elections in May, and the victory had challenged not only the generals but also the nation’s powerful monarchy. As Parliament prepared to hold a second vote on Wednesday, the political fate of Pita, and his coalition, hangs in the balance. “This is déjà vu,” a political science professor said, referring to the cycles of elections, protests, coups and crackdowns that have occurred in Thailand since 2007.

Source: New York Times July 13, 2023 22:14 UTC