Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dissolved the progressive Move Forward Party, which emerged victorious in the 2023 general election but faced obstacles in forming a government. This decision was made on August 7, 2024.
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The Constitutional Court ruled that the Move Forward Party violated the constitution by proposing an amendment to Article 112, Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes defaming the royal family.
The court unanimously decided to dissolve the party stating that its campaign to amend the lese majeste law amounted to an attempt to undermine the constitutional monarchy.
The court imposed a 10-year ban on political activity for the party’s executive members including former leader Pita Limjaroenrat and current chief Chaithawat Tulathon.
Move Forward achieved a victory in the 2023 elections. The party’s agenda resonated with young voters frustrated by years of military-backed rule.
Despite its electoral success Move Forward was unable to form a government due to opposition from the Senate, a conservative, military-appointed body that refused to endorse Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister.
Thailand’s lese majeste law is known as Article 112, which carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison per offense. Some say that the law is used as a tool to suppress political dissent and silence critics of the monarchy.
The party advocated for reforming Article 112 aiming to keep the monarchy above politics and prevent its exploitation for political purposes.
The dissolution of Move Forward creates a political vacuum about the future of progressive politics in Thailand.
While the party’s lawmakers can retain their seats by joining a new party within 60 days, the move disrupts the party’s organizational structure.
The MFP emerged as a beacon of progressive politics in Thailand, gaining traction among young and urban voters who resonated with its reformative agenda.
In the 2023 general elections the MFP secured the most parliamentary seats.
The MFP’s platform included challenging the lese-majeste law, which some argue stifles freedom of expression and has been historically used to suppress dissent.
Thailand’s lese-majeste law makes it illegal to criticize or defame the royal family with penalties including lengthy prison sentences.
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On August 7, 2024, the Constitutional Court unanimously decided to dissolve the Move Forward Party. It cited the party’s attempt to reform the lese-majeste law as a violation of the Thai constitution.
In addition to dissolving the party, the court imposed a 10-year ban from politics on MFP’s executive board members including former leader Pita Limjaroenrat and current leader Chaithawat Tulathon.
The court said that attempts to amend the lese-majeste law were tantamount to challenging Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.
The ruling has left millions of voters, particularly the younger demographic frustrated and disillusioned. Many see it as a direct attack on democratic values and political expression.
MFP’s lawmakers are expected to regroup under a new political banner, similar to what occurred after the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP) in 2020.
The dissolution of the Move Forward Party is reminiscent of past political disruptions in Thailand including the disbandment of its Future Forward Party in 2020.
Since the 2014 military coup, Thailand’s politics has been heavily influenced by military-appointed bodies including the Senate.
The court has been a key player in maintaining the conservative status quo. Since 2006, it has dissolved 34 parties, often on grounds perceived as politically motivated.
The Senate with members appointed by a military junta has been instrumental in shaping Thailand’s political trajectory.
The military and monarchy wield influence often at odds with reformist movements seeking to democratize Thai politics.
The Senate’s refusal to endorse Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister underlines the establishment’s influence in Thailand’s political system.
The 2017 constitution was drafted under a military government, grants the Senate power in selecting the prime minister.
Many of Thailand’s allies including the United States, European Union and other democracies have expressed concern over the ruling.
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