Thailand inched closer to political gridlock on Thursday as politicians gathered in Parliament to vote for the next prime minister with no clear victor in sight.
The leading candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, a charismatic young progressive, was dealt a major setback on the eve of the vote when Thailand’s Election Commission asked the Constitutional Court to suspend him from Parliament.
Mr. Pita, who scored a major political victory over the ruling military junta and its royalist allies during the general election in May, has been under investigation for allegedly owning undeclared shares in a media company. On Wednesday, the Court also said that it had accepted a complaint against Mr. Pita over his calls to amend a law that harshly penalizes criticism of the Thai monarchy.
Neither blow stopped Move Forward, Mr. Pita’s party, and other coalition members from nominating him for prime…
