Who is Pita Limjaroenrat, Thailand's opposition leader likely to be next PM?

If opposition parties accept his proposal to form a coalition government, he will become the country's 30th premier.

Published on: May 15, 2023, 13:17:15 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Pita Limjaroenrat, Thailand's 42-year-old opposition leader, is set to become the country's next prime minister, with his Move Forward Party emerging as the single-largest party in Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, waves to the crowd during the general election in Bangkok, Thailand. (REUTERS)

Also Read | Thailand opposition crushes military parties in election rout

On Monday, Limjaroenrat took to Twitter saying he was ‘clear’ and ‘ready’ to be the 30th prime minister of Thailand.

“We have the same dream, the same hopes, and we believe that Thailand that we love can be better. Change is possible If we start doing it from today... Our dreams and hopes are quite simple and straightforward,” he said in his tweet.

He continued: “Whether you agree or disagree with me, I will be your prime minister. Whether you voted for me or not, I will serve you.”

To become the premier, however, the young leader will need the support of other parties, as Move Forward failed to secure a single-party majority in the 500-member lower house. Accordingly, he has extended an invitation to four other opposition parties, including the runner-up Pheu Thai, to join hands with Move Forward and form a coalition government.

Here is, meanwhile, a brief profile of Pita Limjaroenrat:

(1.) Born in Bangkok on September 5, 1980, he comes from an influential family. Both his father and uncle have been advisors to Thai governments, with the latter also being a close aide to erstwhile PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

(2.) A businessman by profession, he has studied in New Zealand and the United States. His alma mater includes University of Texas, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others.

(3.) At 25, Limjaroenrat became the managing director of CEO Agrifood, a rice bran oil business run by his family. From 2017 to 2018, he was the executive director at Grab Thailand, the Thailand unit of Grab Holdings Inc, a Southeast Asian multinational technological firm.

(4.) He began his political career with Future Forward Party, the predecessor to Move Forward Party. In March 2020, he was formally elected as the leader of Move Forward Party.

(5.) In December 2012, Pita married actress Chutima Teepanart, but the couple got divorced in March 2019. They are parents to a daughter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Thailand

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.