Court To Discuss Pita's Re-Nomination On Aug 3, PM Vote Could Be Held On Aug 10

Pheu Thai Party (PTP) Secretary General Prasert Chantarawongthong said that the second round of the PM vote could take place on August 10, as he called for a revision of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between members of the eight-party coalition, since Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat can no longer become Prime Minister.

• If confirmed, this would coincide with the expected return of fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, father of one of Pheu Thai's PM candidates. The authorities confirmed that if he sets foot in the country, he will be arrested on arrival and brought to the court.
• MFP Secretary General Chaithawat Tulathon commented that Thaksin's return has nothing to do with the government formation process and played down reports suggesting that the former PM's representatives tried to talk the MFP into softening its stance on amending the lese-majeste law.
• The MFP is still planning to challenge the decision preventing Pita from being re-nominated for the PM position. The Constitutional Court said that it will convene on August 3 to consider a petition requesting a ruling on parliament's decision preventing Pita's re-nomination.