Thai court suspends Pita as MP as parliament votes on new premier

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Prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat’s suspension from parliament should not affect his nomination for PM, party says.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has ordered a temporary suspension of prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat from parliament after accepting a case against him alleging he was unqualified to run in the country’s May 14 election.

Pita, who was due to contest a parliamentary vote on the premiership on Wednesday, has argued his ownership of shares in a media company was not a violation of election rules.

He has 15 days to respond, the court said in a statement.

Pita’s election-winning Move Forward Party said the suspension ruling by the court should not affect Pita’s nomination for the prime ministerial vote on Wednesday, which rival politicians had been seeking to block him from.

More to follow soon.