Pita Limjaroenrat: Meet Thailand’s (probable) next leader

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat is on the road to becoming Thailand’s next prime minister after his three-year-old progressive party’s shock victory in last Sunday’s general election.

The election results, which are awaiting endorsement by the Election Commission, show Move Forward in first after winning 152 of the 500 MP seats in the House of Representatives.

“Change has come to our country… The numbers show that people want change,” the 42-year-old declared after his party’s stunning victory.

“Thai people have delivered their decision through the ballot box,” Pita said, adding he was ready to be the “prime minister for everyone”.

Move Forward is working on forming a new coalition government with eight other political parties – an alliance that would muster 314 seats.

However, a Lower House majority alone is not enough for Pita to…