In the afternoon parliamentary session of 13 July 2023 to select a new PM, the royal defamation law remained the hot topic.

The highlights of a morning session of the parliamentary session, which was held to select a new Prime Minister with Pita Limjaroenrat as the only candidate nominated for the position. However, the outgoing government coalition parties continue to strongly oppose Pita.

The Election Commission has submitted a petition under Section 82 of the Constitution, asking the Constitutional Court to decide the iTV share case of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limcharoenrat.

The outgoing government coalition parties have reiterated their stance that their MPs will not vote in favour of Pita Limjaroenrat from the Move Forward Party due to their opposition to the MFP policy to amend the royal defamation law or Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

A pro-monarchy group gathered in front of the parliament to submit a letter urging Senators not to support MPs from parties that have a policy of abolishing Section 112, which they perceive as equivalent to abolishing the monarchy.

An alleged attempt to strip Pita Limcharoenrat’s legitimacy as a prime ministerial candidate, using the accusation of holding iTV shares, was exposed yesterday by reporter Thapanee Eadsrichai. The Move Forward Party (MFP) suggests there has been a coordinated plot to disqualify the MFP leader by reinstating iTV's status as a media organization, using allegedly fabricated minutes from the annual shareholder meeting of iTV Public Company in April.

The Election Commission (EC) has rejected a complaint filed against Move Forward party’s Pita Limjaroenrat over iTV shares and several other complaints against the party, but will launch an investigation to see if Pita has applied to run as MP knowing he is not qualified.

A group of organizations claiming to protect the monarchy has filed a complaint against Pita Limjaroenrat under the royal defamation law and the Computer-Related Crime Act, alleging that his interview with BBC has affected the country’s highest institution.

A major satellite and cable TV provider appears to have blocked the broadcasts about the Thai election of several overseas news agencies, according to reports on social media and eyewitness accounts. 

Pita Limjaroenrat announced that his Move Forward Party (MFP) will form a pro-democracy government coalition with another 7 parties after it secured victory in the general election

A Palang Pracharath party-list candidate, filed a petition with the EC to investigate Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and PM candidate of the Move Forward Party, for allegedly holding shares in a media company.

<p>In response to the hunger strikes of two detained activists, opposition political party members have pledged to support bail rights and ending the criminalisation of political opinions.</p>