The Election Commission of Thailand has announced its intention to seek the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward party, which won last year’s general election.
This decision follows a ruling by the Constitutional Court that the party’s proposal to amend a royal anti-defamation law was unconstitutional.
The commission unanimously agreed to file a case with the court seeking the party’s dissolution, believing that the proposal to amend the law was an attempt to overthrow Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. However, it remains unclear whether the court will accept the petition.
Parit Wacharasindhu, a spokesperson for Move Forward, stated that the party’s legal team would do their best to prevent the party from being dissolved. He stressed the importance of proving the party’s innocence to establish a proper standard for Thai politics in the future.
Thailand’s Election Body (Credits: Financial Times)
The Constitutional Court’s ruling in January mandated that the party cease advocating changes to the law, known as Article 112, which protects the monarchy from criticism.
Critics argue that the law is frequently used to suppress political dissent. Student-led pro-democracy protests that began in 2020 openly criticized the monarchy, leading to numerous prosecutions under the law.
Thailand’s courts, particularly the Constitutional Court, are seen as supporting the country’s traditional royalist establishment, using their influence to hinder or eliminate political opponents.
Move Forward’s victory in the 2023 general election indicated a desire for change among many Thai voters after years of military-controlled government.
However, the military-installed Senate prevented the party from taking power by refusing to approve the nomination of then-party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, citing his intention to reform the monarchy.
The Election Commission of Thailand has announced its intention to seek the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward party, which won last year’s general election. This decision follows a ruling by the Constitutional Court that the party’s proposal to amend a royal anti-defamation law was unconstitutional.
Thailand’s Election Body (Credits: www.asahi.com)
The commission unanimously agreed to file a case with the court seeking the party’s dissolution, believing that the proposal to amend the law was an attempt to overthrow Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. However, it remains unclear whether the court will accept the petition.
Parit Wacharasindhu, a spokesperson for Move Forward, stated that the party’s legal team would do their best to prevent the party from being dissolved. He stressed the importance of proving the party’s innocence to establish a proper standard for Thai politics in the future.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling in January mandated that the party cease advocating changes to the law, known as Article 112, which protects the monarchy from criticism.
Critics argue that the law is frequently used to suppress political dissent. Student-led pro-democracy protests that began in 2020 openly criticized the monarchy, leading to numerous prosecutions under the law.
Thailand’s courts, particularly the Constitutional Court, are seen as supporting the country’s traditional royalist establishment, using their influence to hinder or eliminate political opponents.
Move Forward’s victory in the 2023 general election indicated a desire for change among many Thai voters after years of military-controlled government.
However, the military-installed Senate prevented the party from taking power by refusing to approve the nomination of then-party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, citing his intention to reform the monarchy.
