Thailand's 'Almost Prime Minister' reflects on democracy at Taipei book fair

Taipei, Feb. 9 (CNA) Former Thai lawmaker Pita Limjaroenrat spoke at the Taipei International Book Exhibition on Sunday about democracy, hope and political perseverance while promoting his memoir "The Almost Prime Minister," which has been published in its first overseas translation in Taiwan.

Pita entered politics in 2019 as a party-list lawmaker with the opposition Future Forward Party. After the party was dissolved the following year, he went on to lead its successor, the Move Forward Party, to victory in Thailand's 2023 general election.

Despite winning the most seats, Pita was blocked from becoming prime minister by Thailand's unelected Senate, whose members were appointed by the previous military junta.

In August 2024, the Constitutional Court dissolved the Move Forward Party after ruling that its proposal to reform the lèse-majesté law, which criminalizes perceived insults against the monarchy, amounted to an attempt to undermine the monarchy.

The court also barred party leader Pita from politics for 10 years, a decision that drew expressions of "disappointment" from the United Nations.

Describing himself as the "designated survivor" of the Future Forward Party, Pita said he took the lead in its successor following the party's dissolution.

He noted that the movement was contesting its third election under its third incarnation, the People's Party, with the vote coinciding with his appearance in Taipei.

While saying it was too early to comment on the election outcome, Pita said he remained optimistic, describing hope as essential to political resilience.

"They can disband parties, but they cannot take away people's hope," he said.

Pita said Thai people are increasingly viewing democracy as a lived experience of fairness and open participation, adding that political engagement continues to grow.

He also addressed what he described as a global trend of democratic backsliding, saying that "the new world order is no world order."

Societies must work together, he said, including Taiwan and Thailand, which he noted share a culture of perseverance.

Highlighting people-to-people ties, Pita recalled being able to find Taiwanese beef noodle soup "just a bike ride away" from his home in Thailand and seeing a family holding mixed passports while flying to Taipei for the event.

He noted that Taiwanese businesses and workers have been active in Thailand for more than three decades, alongside steady growth in bilateral trade and investment.

Despite being barred from politics for a decade, Pita said he remains patient and optimistic, counting down the remaining eight years before he can reenter public life.

"I feel like I'm up for the new challenge of the new world that is coming up," he said.