Unfazed by political blows, Pita Limjaroenrat resolves to come back to lead 'alternative Thailand'

Pita Limjaroenrat shook up Thai politics eight months ago by leading his progressive Move Forward party to a stunning first-place finish in the 2023 general election

BANGKOK -- Eight months ago, Pita Limjaroenrat shook up Thai politics by leading his progressive party to a stunning first-place finish in the 2023 general election, putting him in a good position to be named the country’s next prime minister.

But he had a change of fortune. Now Pita's fighting an uphill battle just to retain his seat in Parliament, from which he has already been suspended.

He was denied the prime minister’s job when he failed to get the necessary approval from members of the Senate, who represent the country’s conservative old guard. Pita's Move Forward party now heads the opposition. He is no longer party chief, and later in January the Constitutional Court will rule whether he violated election regulations and should be expelled from the lawmaking body.

While Pita is far from despairing over the turn of events, he acknowledged in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press that his post-election life has been like “riding a roller coaster.”

The 43-year-old Harvard-educated businessman described his setbacks as just a detour, and is sticking to his goal of reforming Thailand. He vows to continue to speak on behalf of people across the country.