Pita Limjaroenrat, former Thai opposition leader, heads to U.S.

By Candice Kim Posted : August 21, 2024, 16:30 Updated : August 21, 2024, 16:30
Pita Limjaroenrat, ex-leader of Move Forward Party, greets supporters in Bangkok on August 7, 2024, as Thailand's top court rules on the party's fate. Yonhap
SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - Pita Limjaroenrat, the 43-year-old ex-leader of Thailand's Move Forward Party (MFP), is set to leave for the United States following a ban on his political activities. He plans to become a visiting fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, his alma mater, where he will write memoirs and participate in seminars.

Pita led the MFP to a surprise victory in last year's election but failed to secure the prime minister position due to opposition from pro-military conservatives. On Aug. 7, Thailand's Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the MFP and banned Pita and 10 other party leaders from politics for a decade.

In interviews with Bloomberg and Reuters, Pita expressed hope for a future return to Thai politics. "I still want to create a lot of changes in Thailand, and I will wait for my time," he told Reuters.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is now investigating 44 former MFP lawmakers, including Pita, for signing a bill to amend the lese-majeste law. This could result in a lifetime ban from politics for these opposition figures.

Despite his current setback, Pita remains popular, consistently ranking first in polls for preferred future prime ministers.
Candice Kim

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