The Constitutional Court of Thailand has ordered the dissolution of the Move Forward Party due to their proposal to amend a law regarding defaming royal family.
The court unanimously agreed that the Move Forward Party's campaign to amend the royal defamation law, known as Article 112, violated the Thai constitution.
This law imposes severe penalties, including up to 15 years in jail per offence, for any criticism of the monarchy.
The Election Commission filed the petition against the Move Forward Party following the court's January ruling that the party must cease its advocacy for changes to Article 112. The commission argued that the party's actions were unconstitutional and posed a threat to the monarchy.
The court's decision includes a 10-year ban on political activity for the party's executive members. This ban affects prominent figures such as the former leader Pita Limjaroenrat and the current chief Chaithawat Tulathon, who led the campaign for the law's amendment.
It remains uncertain what will happen to the non-executive lawmakers of the dissolved Move Forward Party.
However, Pita Limjaroenrat mentioned in an interview that the party is working to ensure a "smooth transition into a new house" or a new political party for these members.
According to Thai law, lawmakers from a dissolved political party can retain their seats in Parliament if they join a new party within 60 days. This provision may allow Move Forward Party members to continue their legislative roles under a different banner.
The dissolution of the Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 elections but failed to secure power, highlights the ongoing political tensions in Thailand. The party's reform agenda and its significant electoral victory represented a challenge to the conservative establishment.
The latest legal action against the Move Forward Party has drawn widespread criticism. Many view it as part of a prolonged campaign by conservative forces to suppress progressive movements and maintain their dominance in Thai politics.
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