A party spokesman claims that if the former leader wins the appeal of a flash mob conviction, he wo n’t face the ban.
PUBLISHED: 6 February 2024 at 18:15
![Move Forward: Pita's PM candidacy intact](https://static.bangkokpost.com/media/content/20240206/c1_2737416.jpg)
Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party’s general director, will continue to run for prime minister despite the fact that he is facing a prison sentence, according to an official with the major opposition party.
A well-known legal expert and law professor said on Tuesday that Mr. Pita had then lost his chance to become prime minister permanently, and Parit Wacharasindhu responded.
Mr. Pita and seven other defendants were given a four-month prison sentence by the Pathumwan District Court on Monday. They had also been suspended for two years for staging an unprovoked display mob protest in December 2019. They are contesting their verdicts and judgments.
Mr. Parit, a MP on the Move Forward list as well, acknowledged Section 160 ( 7 ) of the constitution that applied to Mr Pita.
The part states that unless it was an offense committed through negligence, a minor offense, or defamation, the minister must not be someone who has been sentenced to imprisonment by judgment, regardless of how serious the case or how long the punishment is suspended.
Mr. Pita’s social rights will be upheld if he proves his ignorance during the appeals process, according to Mrs. Parit.
He claimed that the appeal would cast doubt on whether the protest actually took place within the Sa Pathum Palace’s limited 150-meter diameter. The charm would also cast doubt on whether the protest leaders deserved a four-month prison sentence.
According to Mr. Parit, Section 160 ( 7 ) of the constitution was not intended to have retroactive effects on a convict. Additionally, the part did not restrict a prisoner’s ability to exercise their political rights for living. According to the official, Mr. Pita’s freedom to serve as a secretary or prime minister would be reinstated if he completed his sentence.
The mind of the Progressive Movement and former Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit declined to comment on the event on Tuesday. He advised the media to ask Mr. Pita for a post.
Mr. Pita was formerly the head of the Move Forward Party, the resurrection of Future Forward, which won the election. On July 13 of last year, he was unable to secure adequate seats to be elected prime minister in the legislature.
The largest protest since the 2014 martial takeover was the one he, Mr. Thanathorn, and six other people participated in on December 14, 2019. It came after the Election Commission’s ruling to have the Future Forward Party dissolved for accepting a sizable payment from Mr. Thanathorn improperly.
Later, the party was disbanded by the court, and Mr. Thanathorn and other senior officers were barred from holding public office.
A Constitutional Court decision last week that the group’s plan to alter the lese-majeste rules amounted to an attempt to overthrow the democratic king led to the disintegration of Move Forward as well.
Plaintiffs who are known to dislike the party had hurried to request the breakdown of the organization by submitting documents to the Election Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Additionally, they want career restrictions for the 44 Move Forward MPs, including Mr. Pita, who in 2021 put forth a draft bill to change the lese-majeste rules.
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Pita Limjaroenrat, a former party leader, will retain his political rights if he can demonstrate his ignorance during the charm approach, according to Move Forward official Parit Wacharasindhu.