24-1-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s Constitutional Court delivered a verdict on Wednesday (Jan 24) clearing reformist political leader Pita Limjaroenrat in a case that had the potential to bar him from parliament. The ruling reinstates him as a Member of Parliament (MP) after his suspension in July, hinging on accusations related to share ownership in a media company, a violation for Thai lawmakers.
Judge Punya Udchachon stated, “The court has ruled his MP status has not ended,” as he read out the verdict. Pita, 43, led the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) to secure the most votes in the previous year’s election. However, his aspirations to become the prime minister were thwarted when he faced suspension as an MP.
The MFP’s reformist stance, challenging Thailand’s strict royal insult laws and advocating for changes in the military and business monopolies, led to the party’s exclusion from the ruling coalition. The influential establishment viewed these calls with concern, prompting the suspension of Pita.
The Constitutional Court convened to examine whether Pita violated rules prohibiting MPs from holding shares in media companies, a situation that currently restricts his participation in the legislature and entry into the parliamentary chamber.
Expressing confidence in the outcome before the hearing, Pita thanked MFP supporters gathered outside the court, stating, “No matter the result I will still be working for the people. It’s only a detour. Regardless of the verdict, we will continue fighting.”
Despite his current optimism, a ruling against Pita could lead to his disqualification from parliament, preventing him from running for office again. In December, he presented evidence for the case, expressing confidence in receiving justice.
Pita’s case draws parallels to a 2019 incident involving progressive Thai politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who was disqualified as an MP for holding media shares. Thanathorn’s Future Forward party, the precursor to the MFP, was later dissolved by the courts in a separate case, sparking large pro-democracy demonstrations.
The MFP, under Pita’s leadership, rejuvenated young and urban voters during the 2023 election campaign. Despite being initially underestimated by analysts, the party surpassed expectations by securing more votes than the Pheu Thai party.
The MFP’s promises to reform strict royal insult laws, break up business monopolies, and challenge military influence in politics triggered behind-the-scenes actions by the kingdom’s elites. Pita’s ambitions to become prime minister were thwarted by senators appointed by the previous junta, leading to the formation of a coalition by the Pheu Thai party, which excluded the MFP from the government.
Educated in Thailand and at Harvard, Pita, a former Grab executive, entered politics in 2018 with the Future Forward party and stepped down as MFP leader in September. The MFP faces another challenge next week when the Constitutional Court reviews a petition asserting that the party’s pledge to reform lese-majeste laws amounted to an attempt to overthrow the democratic government with the king as the head of state.
