Leader of winning Thai party, rebuffed last week, to try once more to become prime minister

By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — The leader of the progressive party that won a surprise victory in Thailand’s May elections says he will make a second bid to become prime minister after being blocked last week by the country’s royalist and military establishment. But Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, says he will make way for a political ally if he is unable to attract more support. After the polls, Move Forward assembled an eight-party coalition with a clear majority in the lower house. But selection of a new prime minister requires a majority of votes from both the lower house and the military-appointed Senate, which represents Thailand’s traditional ruling class. Only 13 senators voted for Pita, far short of the number needed for confirmation.