BANGKOK: A court in Thailand on Wednesday ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party, which won national elections in 2023, saying it violated the constitution by proposing an amendment of a law against defaming the country’s royal family.
According to the Constitutional Court, its members voted unanimously for disbanding the party because they believed that its efforts to change the legislation amounted to a putch against constitutional monarchy of Thailand.
In January, after a previous decision by the Constitutional Court forbidding reforming Article 112 also known as lese majeste law- The Election Commission took legal action against this political organization called Foray Movement (formerly Move Forward) through filing a petition with the Court.
The decision also barred from politics for 10 years every official within these executive roles who participated in campaigns for this proposed amendment. They include Pita Limjaroenrat, formerly a highly popular leader and now Chaithawat Tulathon.
It is still unknown though what will become of its ordinary MPs; however, when speaking with The Associated Press earlier today Pita said his party was going to ensure that they “move into another house without any bumps,” or at least another political bloc.
Seated parliament members keep their seats if they join another political party within two months since their old one ceased functioning.
Move Forward changed Thai politics and its platform emerged as number one in opinion polls during 2023 elections but failed to form a government. This last instance whenever there has been opposition garnere condemnation internationally moreover has constituted part of longstanding conservative attacks upon progressives within Thailand targeted at maintaining supremacy.
