Move Forward Party declares victory in Thai general election

Leader Pita Limjaroenrat ready to be PM, aims to form coalition govt with other parties

- Tan Tam Mei

BANGKOK–TheMoveForwardParty (MFP), which champions progressive policies that have rattled nationalistic establishments in Thailand, has declared victory in Sunday’s general election.

“I am ready to be the prime minister for all, whether you agree with me or not,” said 42-year-old party leader Pita Limjaroenrat on Monday, hours after Thailand’s election commission finished counting over 99 per cent of the votes.

Mr Pita said he had congratulated Ms Paetongtarn Shinawatra for the hard-fought campaign, and invited her Pheu Thai Party as well as four others to establish a coalition of 309 MPs to form the government.

“I think it’s safe to assume that we have secured the majority in forming the government,” he said.

The party has also set up a transition team to ensure a smooth handover from the previous government.

“To minimise the risk economically and politically, we will try to form the government as soon as possible,” said Mr Pita, who is MFP’s nominee for prime minister.

Unofficial tallies by the commission placed the MFP in first place, bagging 151 seats and some 14 million votes. This gives the party the biggest share of seats out of the 500 contested in the election.