The Constitutional Court has dissolved the Move Forward Party (MFP) and banned its executives for 10 years, citing threats to the constitutional monarchy and national security. The ruling was delivered on August 7, 2024, following the court’s determination that the party’s continued efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese-majeste law, posed a significant risk to the nation’s stability.
The court referenced several actions by MFP, including a proposal on March 25, 2021, campaign statements during the May 14, 2023, election, and various political activities aimed at amending Section 112. The proposed changes included separating offenses under the law from other national security crimes, allowing for pardons, and enabling settlements. According to the court, these efforts undermined the value of the royal institution, eroded public trust, and endangered national security.
The court’s ruling included a unanimous decision to dissolve the party and an 8-1 vote to ban the party for actions perceived as hostile toward the constitutional monarchy. Additionally, 11 MFP executives, including Pita Limjaroenrat, were banned from political activities for a decade.
The court also addressed international observers, emphasizing that foreign diplomats should respect Thailand’s laws and constitutional framework. This appeared to be a response to a recent meeting where diplomats discussed the impending court ruling with MFP representatives.
The Move Forward Party, which won the 2023 election but failed to form a government due to opposition to its stance on the lese-majeste law, now faces the task of relocating its 142 MPs to a new party within 60 days to retain their positions. The party’s dissolution is the second of its kind, following the dissolution of the Future Forward Party in 2020.
The banned MFP executives include prominent figures such as Pita Limjaroenrat and Chaithawat Tulathon. As the party’s MPs consider their next steps, reports suggest they may transfer to the lesser-known Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party. The dissolution marks a significant moment in Thailand’s political landscape, raising questions about the future of reformist movements in the country.
