EC Delays Decision On Pita's Shareholding Case With Dark Clouds Gathering Over MFP Candidate

Khaosod reports that Thailand's Election Commission (EC) has not been able to determine whether to forward Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat's ITV shareholding case to the Constitutional Court to rule whether he lacks qualifications to be an MP. They cite EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong as noting that the meeting will resume Tuesday at 10am local time (04:00BST).

• Separately, Thai Enquirer reports that Senator Direkrit Jenklongtham, who had previously expressed his intention to align with lower house majority in the July 13 Prime Minister vote, now supports referring Pita's case to the Constitutional Court.
• Direkrit said that the Court should issue its verdict before the PM vote this Thursday, as voting for an ineligible candidate would go against the constitution. In his view, many Senators will abstain if the Court fails to rule before the vote.
• Conservative Senator Seri Suwanphanond issued a more strong-worded warning to lawmakers, noting that all eight parties forming the MFP-led coalition could be dissolved if they
• A Senate source told Khaosod that no more than ten Senators are currently planning to support Pita's PM bid, with some also looking to cite parliamentary regulations to block a potential re-vote on Pita's candidacy.
• The latest developments increase uncertainty ahead of Thursday's vote for Prime Minister, with representatives of the royalist, pro-military establishment stepping up pressure on the MFP-led coalition which won the election last month.