Bangkok [Thailand], September 24: Thailand's Move Forward Party has chosen ChaithawatTulathon as its new leader as the party's resigning head and member of parliament Pita Limjaroenrat faces allegations from the Thai Constitutional Court for breaching electoral legislation, the Bangkok Post reported.
Tulathon, who had previously served as the party's secretary-general, was chosen with 330 votes against five, the media said, adding that three party members had decided to abstain. "I and the new members of the executive committee are ready to step down if Mr Pita can return to perform his MP duty," the newspaper quoted the party's head-elect as saying.
The Constitutional Court has suspended Chaithawat's parliamentary mandate until the investigation is over. On Sept 15, the day of his resignation, the party's former leader said that he was no longer able to perform his duties as the opposition leader, as he had been stripped of his parliamentary powers. Limjaroenrat stands accused of being registered as the leader of the Move Forward Party while also owning a controlling interest in the ITV broadcasting corporation.
Source: Qatar Tribune