A statement from ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights:

The people of Thailand deserve, and voted for, a real democracy, Southeast Asian parliamentarians say

JAKARTA Ahead of the second vote for the Thai Prime Minister, members of parliament from across Southeast Asia stand in solidarity with the Thai people and call for reforms that would ensure the establishment of a real democracy in Thailand.

The eight-party coalition that has nominated a prime minister candidate won a combined total of nearly 27 million votes in the general elections in May. This is over 70% of the total votes cast. In any real democracy, there would be no doubt on who would be able to form a new government. Unfortunately, the existing rules have been designed to protect the militarys role in politics and governance, thwarting any attempt at genuine reform, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) Co-Chairperson and former Malaysian member of parliament Charles Santiago said today.

The current Thai constitution was adopted in 2017, followin...

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As Move Forwards Pita Limjaroenrat gets put up again for the prime ministership, it is almost certain he will be defeated again, by the parties of the military in the lower house and by the unelected swill of the senate. Quite a few analysts have been trying to work out what happens next.

At The New York Times has it, Now, as Parliament gathers on Wednesday to vote for prime minister for a second time in less than a week, the fragile coalition that Move Forward has cobbled together is on the verge of falling apart.

It quotes Thammasat University political scientist Pongkwan Sawasdipakdi is cited: Thailand is not ready to change. People in the establishment are not going to let change happen.

The NYT observes: Opposition parties ten...

As unelected senators whine about bullying Amnesty International has posted on the trial of Sainam, a juvenile when charged. We dont see the unelected swill complaining about children being bullied by the regime and state: Heres the AI post:

Thailand: Drop insulting the monarchy charge against child protester involved in mock fashion show

Ahead of the expected verdict on Thursday (20 July) against Noppasin Sainam Treelayapewat, a young activist who faces up to 15 years imprisonment, accused of lse-majest or insulting the monarchy for taking part in a mock fashion show when he was 16 years old, Amnesty Internationals Regional Researcher for Thailand Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said:

Sainam should not be facing any charges or punishment, yet these proceedings could result in years of his freedom stolen, simply for taking part in a satirical fashion show during a peaceful protest when he was under 18 years old. The multiple criminal charges agai...

There is much speculation of what comes next. We felt these discussions may be of some use. We do not suggest that everything in them is correct or likely. We disagree with them in quite fundamental ways, but they need to be heard.

Pravit Rojanaphruk, An Open Letter To Move Forward Party Supporters

This is a kind of liberal paean that suggest much has been achieved and even the defeat of Pita Limjaroenrat for PM is not the endgame: a bit of political patience will see the old guard off. And, even another judicial court should be accepted:

In the worst case scenario even if Move Forward Party risks ending up in the opposition camp, and/or the party eventually dissolved and Pita along with the current party executive committee banned from politics for some years by the Constitutional Court due to the partys pledge to reform the lese majeste law being ruled by the court as being against the democratic system with the King as head of state, it is still definitely not over.

I met and spoke to one prominent young Move Forward Party and my impression is the remaining young Move Forward Party MPs are prepared to lead yet a new party. It is a long game. Shed your tears if needed but pick yourself up as patience and fortitude are needed in this long fight.

Napon Jatusripitak, The lack of democracy in Thailand has been revealed

The outcome [of the first selection round for the PM] was not unexpected. Nonetheless, it signals a strong determination by the Thai conservative establishment to block Pitas rise to power.

The implications of this outcome remain unclear. The prime ministerial selection process is set to continue until its completion, with the next round scheduled for Wednesday (Jul 19).

In conclusion, the political future of Thailand hangs in the balance. Ultimately, these developments underscore the stark reality that leaders in Thailand are not elected by the will of the people but rather permitted to rise to power with support or at least acquiescence of the conservative establishment. Now that the true nature of democracy, or the lack thereof, in Thailand has been revealed, it remains to be seen what actions and measures will be taken by the Thai people whose voice and choice seem to have been trampled upon.

And this interview with long-time observer Michael Montesano: