Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has called for calm after a progressive candidate's bid to become the next leader was thwarted by military and pro-royalist lawmakers.

Pita Limjaroenrat's party, Move Forward Party (MFP), won the most seats in the May elections but was suspended from parliament and denied a second vote to become the country's next premier. The suspension of Pita Limjaroenrat sparked protests, with around 1,000 people gathering to express their anger.

However, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to move Thailand forward in a peaceful and democratic manner, in line with the monarchy. The MFP's progressive agenda, which includes revising the country's strict royal defamation law and challenging family-owned business monopolies, is highly opposed by Thailand's establishment.

The party's refusal to compromise on these issues has sparked controversy and political division. Pita Limjaroenrat's suspension from parliament was due to a case involving his ownership of shares in a media company, which is prohibited for lawmakers under the country's charter.

Despite leaving parliament defiantly, Pita has pledged to step aside and allow another party to form a government. The Pheu Thai party, which is associated with the Shinawatra political clan, could potentially lead a coalition government.

However, forming a government with army-aligned lawmakers could result in public backlash. The May elections were significant, as they followed massive protests in 2020 that called for political reforms. The exclusion of the MFP from office could potentially lead to larger demonstrations and further political unrest in the country.