Locals held a protest urging ultra-royalist senators to vote for election winner Pita Limjaroenrat as the next prime minister of Thailand - despite his plans to reform the country's monarchy.

Residents in northern Chiang Mai province gathered in front of the Chiang Mai University on July 12, a day ahead of the parliament vote that would determine the country's next leader.

Protesters voiced their support for the progressive Move Forward Party leader and also slammed the Election Commission of Thailand, which had filed a complaint against him over his father's shares in an inactive broadcaster. The case is seen as a potential grounds for disqualification and has been criticised as politically motivated.

Footage shows the protesters laying down a funeral wreath as they 'mourned' the Election Commission's actions.

The group said they were holding another rally at the university's Faculty of Law today as the prime minister selection process proceeds.

The Move Forward Party won the most seats in a national poll on May 15.

However, a junta-appointed cabal of 250 'senators' handpicked from the country's benighted institutions will now cast the deciding votes on which party can govern - rendering any elections a sham.

The ultra-conservative senators - branded 'dinosaurs' by critics - have pledged their loyalty to protecting the monarchy and vowed to prevent the Move Forward party from entering government due to its stance on modernising the state and watering down the Lese Majeste law, which they see as a threat to national security.