Thai court dissolves opposition Move Forward Party

The Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled on Wednesday to dissolve the main opposition party, the Move Forward Party, for “undermining the political systems of the constitutional monarchy” in its actions, according to Sputnik.

Judges of the Constitutional Court panel hearing the case delivered the ruling. Thai broadcaster Thairath TV aired it live.

The court ruling said the Move Forward Party set the people of Thailand against the Thai monarchy and created undermining sentiments among the people toward the political system of the constitutional monarchy of Thailand.

The judges said this took place “in its political agitation during the 2023 election campaign, in speeches by party leaders urging post-election attempts to bring for discussion in Parliament changes to the legislation of the Kingdom of Thailand protecting the status of the monarchy and the political system of the constitutional monarchy.”

The court also ruled that the party leadership be banned from political activities for 10 years.

The Move Forward Party won 151 seats in last year’s general election, becoming the largest party in the House of Representatives.

However, its then leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to become prime minister after not securing enough support from members of the House and the military-appointed Senate.

The party’s election campaign had included a promise to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, which makes it illegal to insult the monarchy.

Srettha Thavisin of the second-largest party, Pheu Thai Party, was then elected prime minister after gaining enough votes from both houses of Parliament.

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