Thailand's Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) and imposed a 10-year political ban on its leader Pita Limjaroenrat and 10 other executives, deeming the party's proposal to amend the lese-majeste, which makes it illegal to defame, or insult the country's monarch.
The MFP's dissolution reflects ongoing repression, where successful opposition parties are declared illegal after elections. The MFP's reform agenda aimed to decentralize economic control but was not focused on working-class democratic rights. Both the MFP and the ruling Pheu Thai Party were not considered true advocates for democracy in Thailand.
Around thirty political parties have been dissolved by judges in Thailand over the past 20 years.
Despite winning the most seats in the 2023 election, the MFP couldn't form a government due to opposition from the conservative Senate members controlled by the junta.
Pita Limjaroenrat expressed disappointment over the party's dissolution and stated plans to continue the party's political agenda through a new 'vehicle', using every available means to improve the country and assist former MFP colleagues in forming a new government.
The court's decision is seen as a setback for Thailand's democratic aspirations and the pro-democracy movement, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also facing a court case brought by military-appointed senators, highlighting the military's influence over Thai politics.
Critics view the court's actions against Move Forward as an attack on Thailand's progressive movement by conservative forces. Human rights organizations expressed concern over the ruling, as Thai courts, including the Constitutional Court, are seen as part of the country's royalist establishment.
Defiant supporters of the disbanded Move Forward Party, whose predecessor Future Forward Party was dissolved in 2020 over accepting illicit funds, are planning to form a new party to continue their reformist platform, challenging the conservative establishment's power grip and fighting for true democracy in Thailand.
Non-banned lawmakers of the dissolved party can keep their seats in Parliament if they join a new party within 60 days. Party members plan to continue under a new party, though details remain undisclosed.
The dissolution of the Move Forward Party and the Future Forward party in 2020 heightened the struggle between progressive and conservative forces, with the latter leading to youth-led pro-democracy protests criticizing the monarchy. Over 262 people have faced charges, each carrying a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
the Biden administration fears that pushing too hard on Thailand's junta could lead to closer ties with China. The United States expressed deep concern over the MFP's dissolution.
Sources: NBC News, PBS, NPR, Financial Times, Los Angeles Times, The Economist, The Asahi Shimbun, The Sydney Morning Herald, South Wales Argus, The Thaiger, The Pattaya News, World Socialist Web Site, The Mainichi, Actual News Magazine, India Today, BNN Bloomberg, Pattaya Mail, Malay Mail, IntelliNews, Patch, Mirage News
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
