Thai PM front runner Pita Limjaroenrat faces election probe that may see him disqualified

The front runner to become Thailand's next prime minister is facing an election probe that could see him disqualified, said a senior official on Monday, in the latest setback to Mr Pita Limjaroenrat's bid for the premiership.

Mr Pita's progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) won the most seats in May's election as voters delivered a crushing rejection of army-linked parties that ran the kingdom for nearly a decade.

But he has faced a number of challenges and complaints, and the election commission has now set up a special committee to investigate whether Mr Pita was qualified to run for office.

"There is sufficient information and evidence to warrant further investigation into whether Mr Pita is qualified to run in the election," commission chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong told AFP.

"The election commission has set up an investigatory committee to investigate further."

It is not clear how long the investigation will take, but if found guilty, Mr Pita could be disqualified and face up to 10 years in jail.

The probe relates to Mr Pita's ownership of shares in a now-defunct media company - prohibited under Thai election law.