3-4-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s Constitutional Court announced on Wednesday (Apr 3) that it had agreed to hear a case aimed at dissolving the opposition Move Forward Party, dealing another blow to the influential anti-establishment movement advocating for significant institutional changes in the country.
The court’s decision follows a complaint filed by the election commission, urging the dissolution of Move Forward due to its contentious campaign to reform a law that shields the monarchy from criticism. This law has led to the prosecution of over 260 individuals in recent years.
The case stems from a January ruling by the same court, which deemed Move Forward’s proposal to amend the law as unconstitutional, likening it to an attempt to overthrow the government system with the king as the head of state. Move Forward has vehemently rejected this assertion.
Despite emerging victorious in last year’s election, Move Forward was prevented from forming a government by lawmakers aligned with the royalist military. It currently holds the largest share of seats in the lower house, capturing approximately 30 per cent.
The party’s agenda for institutional reform, particularly its proposal to amend the law protecting the monarchy, struck a chord with young and urban voters. However, the law, which carries severe penalties of up to 15 years in jail for perceived insults against the royal family, is fiercely defended by many royalists and viewed as sacrosanct.
Should the court rule against Move Forward, the party could face dissolution and extended political bans for its leadership, mirroring the fate of its predecessor, Future Forward, which was dissolved in 2020 over a campaign funding violation.
A separate complaint has been lodged with a Thai anti-graft body, seeking life bans for 44 current and former lawmakers associated with the party.
Move Forward’s advocacy for institutional reforms and efforts to combat business monopolies have unsettled Thailand’s conservative status quo, leading to an unprecedented governing alliance between the populist Pheu Thai and military-backed parties, once considered adversaries.
Activists argue that the lese-majeste law has been weaponised to target progressives and stifle institutional changes. Move Forward maintains that its campaign aims to strengthen the constitutional monarchy and prevent the misuse of the law.
Former prime ministerial hopeful of the party, Pita Limjaroenrat, expressed determination to defend Move Forward’s future, denouncing what he described as paranoia from Thailand’s conservative establishment regarding the party’s reform initiatives.
