Top party managers banned from politics for ten years because they defied the king.
The Move Forward Party ( MPF ) was disbanded on Wednesday by the Constitutional Court, saying it had violated the constitution’s and national security, and had forten years banned its leaders.
The nine judges ‘ unanimous decision, which was made at 3 p.m., stated that the party had been actively pushing for Part 112 of the Criminal Code’s act, the lese-majeste rules, for years.
It cited group proposals to alter the rules on March 25, 2021, plan comments made during the battle for the May 14, 2023 poll, and social manifestoes.
According to the court, these attempts allegedly reduced the imperial institution’s worth, demonstrated intention to overuse it in order to win general elections, harmed people’s confidence in the organization, and harmed national security.
The voting campaigns and opinions expressed by critics threatened the country’s safety significantly.
The judge also forbade 11 Move Forward executives from running for office, starting a new political party, or participating in the formation of a new party for ten years after the dissolution decision.
Among those banned, powerful immediately, are deputy director Pita Limjaroenrat and gathering head Chaithawat Tulathon. Five of those banned were sitting list-MPs ( full list below ).
The group’s 143 remaining Members, however, have 60 days to find a new group or drop their MP position. The group was set to release its intentions at 6 p.m. by holding a press conference.
The party’s sole agent at the judge was Mr. Pita. ( Story continues below )
On Wednesday, Pita Limjaroenrat, the Constitutional Court’s chief assistant, hears the decision. ( Screenshot )
Blocked from governing
Because numerous appointed Lawmakers opposed its plan to alter the lese-majeste legislation, Move Forward won the election in 2023 but was unable to form a government. The runner-up Pheu Thai Party immediately formed a new coalition without Move Forward, and the latter moved into the criticism.
Any lese-majeste complaints required to be filed by the Bureau of the Royal Household, according to the modifications MFP proposed. Police are now required to conduct an investigation into allegations of aristocratic defamation against anyone.
Move Forward even called for diminished words for lese-majeste views.
The Supreme Court of the United States upheld the constitutional monarchy’s ruling on January 31 regarding Move Forward’s efforts to change Area 112. Additionally, it directed the group to halt any attempts to modify Section 112 and forbid it from amending it through any unlegislative means.
The Election Commission’s petition for party dissolution based on the ruling, which had violated Section 92 of the natural law governing political parties. The area gives the court the power to dissolve any party that threatens the democratic monarchy.
Move Forward argued that the ballot organization committed important errors and denied wrongdoing. The judge has declined to speak any dental arguments, despite the fact that it had many legal experts and others who were willing to support its case.
The judge said on Wednesday that the novel situation also benefited from the conclusions it made on January 31. Walk Forward had the opportunity to testify before the court in the earlier circumstance, it claimed. The Election Commission lacked the necessary need for a testimony investigation.
Next ban
The Future Forward Party, which was dissolved in 2020 because of accepting a mortgage from one of its members, is where Push Forward came from. It won more than 80 seats in the public vote a year earlier, shocking experts.
When Future Forward was disbanded, its MPs moved to Walk Forward, a group that had been founded in 2014 and based in Udon Thani.
If the Party’s leadership was to be disbanded, it is said that all Walk Forward MPs planned to resign.
The MFP professionals who have been suspended are:
- Pita Limjaroenrat, previous leader and key director, list MP,
- Chaithawat Tulathon, president and past secretary-general, record MP,
- Nathipat Kulsettasit, gathering manager,
- Nakornpong Supanimittrakul, group member secretary,
- Padipat Santipada, past executive part, northwestern region,
- Somchai Fangchalachit, group administrative committee, southern region,
- Amornrat Chokpamitkul, group administrative committee, central location,
- Apichart Sirisunthon, professional committee member, northern territory, list MP
- Benja Saengchan, group administrative committee, eastern region, record MP,
- Suthep U-on, group executive member, left aircraft, list MP,
- Abhisit Promrit, group administrative committee, northern territory, list MP.
Before the reading of the Constitutional Court decision on Wednesday, supporters gather at the Move Forward Party office in Bangkok’s Hua Mak area. ( Photo: @MFPThailand X account )