7-8-2024 (BANGKOK) The Constitutional Court has ordered the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP), citing the party’s campaign to amend the lese-majeste law as a threat to the constitutional monarchy and national security.
The ruling, delivered at 3pm on Wednesday, marks a dramatic turn of events for the progressive party that won the 2023 general election but was subsequently blocked from forming a government. The court’s decision not only disbands the party but also imposes a 10-year political ban on its executives who held positions between 25 March 2021 and 31 January 2024.
In its verdict, the court highlighted the MFP’s persistent efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese-majeste law. The judges pointed to a party proposal dated 25 March 2021, policy statements during the May 2023 election campaign, and various political activities aimed at reforming the controversial law.
The court stated, “Such attempts diminished the value of the royal institution, showed intention to abuse the royal institution for political gain in the general election, hurt people’s faith in the institution and affected national security.” It further emphasised that “expressions of opinion toward legal amendments and the vote campaigns posed significant threats to national security.”
Among those facing an immediate 10-year ban from political activities are chief adviser Pita Limjaroenrat and party leader Chaithawat Tulathon. Mr Pita, who was the sole representative of the party present at the court, now finds himself at the centre of a political storm that could reshape Thailand’s opposition landscape.
The MFP’s 151 members of parliament now have 60 days to find a new political home or risk losing their MP status. Reports suggest that many are preparing to join the little-known Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party in anticipation of this ruling.
This decision follows a previous court ruling on 31 January, which ordered the MFP to cease all attempts to rewrite Section 112 and prohibited it from amending the section through any non-legislative process. That ruling provided the basis for the Election Commission to seek the party’s dissolution under Section 92 of the organic law on political parties.
The MFP, which rose from the ashes of the dissolved Future Forward Party in 2020, had proposed amendments to the lese-majeste law, including a requirement that complaints be filed only by the Bureau of the Royal Household and reduced sentences for convictions.
