Top Court Clears Ex-PM Hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat In Media Share Case

Wires report that Thailand's Constitutional Court voted 8-1 to clear former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat of charges of violating election laws, allowing him to return as a lawmaker. The allegations prevented Pita from becoming the Thai Prime Minister, even as the 2023 election result put him in the pole position in the race for the top job.

• Pita led the MFP to an election victory over the pro-junta parties last year but his efforts to form a coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) were blocked by allegations that he was ineligible to run for office due to holding media shares.
• The case was referred to the Constitutional Court, while Pita's lawmaker status was suspended. He resigned as party leader, due to his inability to effectively perform the role from outside of parliament, with Chaithawat Tulathon taking over.
• The legal charges against Pita were widely seen as part of the "lawfare" strategy deployed by the pro-military establishment to block his PM bid. The conservative parties subsequently entered the current government led by Pheu Thai.
• The top court has now ruled that ITV has not been considered a media company since 2007 and hence Pita did not violate the election law. However, the verdict comes months after the process of government formation was completed.
• Despite today's verdict, the MFP is still facing further legal headwinds. On January 31, the Constitutional Court is due to rule in a case where the party is accused of breaching the country's lese majeste law and could potentially be dissolved.