The Facts
The leader of Thailand's election-winning Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, was on Wednesday denied the chance to stand for a second Prime Ministerial vote.
Last week, the 42-year-old Harvard graduate garnered 324 votes, 51 short of the 375 threshold required. Despite winning a majority in the lower house, support was lacking in the military-installed Senate, which claims he poses a threat to the monarchy.
The Spin
Narrative A
The true nature of Thailand's regime is now in plain sight. The decision to not allow Pita to become prime minister has exposed the reality that power in Thailand does not stem democratically from the people, but rather from the conservative establishment.
Narrative B
The fact that Pita has been blocked from premiership may seem discouraging, but there is no time for pessimism or defeatism. Given that Move Forward's main goal is to change Thailand, it's crucial to consider progress with a longer-term perspective than immediate domestic affairs.