More Senators Back Pita's PM Bid, Coalition Expects Support To Grow After MoU Release

A Pheu Thai official said that the eight-party coalition behind Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat's PM bid is getting good response from Senators and the initial talks have been "encouraging," while media reports suggested that a growing number of upper house members were showing reluctance to go against the popular vote and block Pita's appointment.

• Somsak Thepsuthin, who resigned as Justice Minister and defected to Pheu Thai in March, suggested that Senators are waiting to review a Memorandum of Understanding which will be signed and published by the coalition on Monday, shedding more light on the bloc's joint political agenda.
• The Bangkok Post reported that more Senators are cosying up to the prospect of Pita becoming PM, as Senator Sathit Limpongpan joined at least 14 upper house members supporting Pita's bid. This would bring the total number of lawmakers supporting Pita to 328, still short of the 376 threshold.
• However, a number of Senators have openly declared that they would not support Pita's PM bid, due to his views on the role of monarchy and the military. As a reminder, the Thai Senate is fully appointed by the Royal Thai Military, albeit 50 out of 250 members are proposed by pre-determined "professional and social groups."
• In addition, the upper house has established a panel to study controversial issues related to Pita, including his anti-establishment views. Its leader and retired army general Chadej Insawang told Channel 3 that the panel will conclude its probe within a month and confirmed that its establishment signals opposition to Pita's candidacy.