“If we have elections and this is all we get, why don’t you just choose it yourself,” a protestor said late on Wednesday drawing applause from a crowd gathered in central Bangkok wearing black.
A Twitter hashtag from the protest was used at least 2 million times.
Thailand’s main stock index has climbed about 2.6 per cent since Jul 14, the day after Pita was first denied by parliament, while the baht has strengthened by 1.7 per cent against the dollar. Foreign investors bought 15.8 billion baht (US$465.53 million) net of Thai shares and bonds during Jul 14 to 19.
Next week, it is widely expected that real estate tycoon and political newcomer Srettha Thavisin from the runner-up Pheu Thai party, part of Pita’s eight-party alliance, will be nominated for premier.
Activists are planning more gatherings and have asked people to wear black to protest what they see as rules stacked against the election winners.
The military-drafted constitution favours conservative parties, requiring any prime ministerial candidate to secure at least 375 votes from a joint sitting of the bicameral legislature including the junta-appointed 249-member senate and an elected 500-member lower house.
Protesters have called on the senators to resign and that Pita’s eight-party coalition to stick together and uphold election promises.
Source: CNA
