BANGKOK: The frontrunner to become Thailand’s next prime minister is facing an election probe that could see him disqualified, a senior official said on Monday, in the latest setback to his bid for the premiership.

Pita Limjaroenrat’s progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) won the most seats at last month’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 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 said.

“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, Pita could be disqualified and face up to 10 years in jail.

The probe relates to Pita’s ownership of shares in a now-defunct media company — prohibited under Thai election law. Pita says he inherited the shares in the ITV television station, which has not broadcast since 2007, from his father.

The 42-year-old denies any wrongdoing and the party says it is not worried about the allegations.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2023