Move-Forward Party banned - Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolves opposition party
The Constitutional Court in Thailand, under pressure from conservative forces, has dissolved the progressive Move Forward Party. Local media reports suggest that the party's support for relaxing the strict lese-majeste law posed a threat to the monarchy. Former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat and other senior members are barred from holding political office for the next decade.
The court, acting on a petition from the election commission, ruled that the party had acted unconstitutionally by advocating for the relaxation of the lese-majeste law, which carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison. Political observers and the party itself were not surprised by the verdict.
Days earlier, Move Forward had stated that it had become a significant political institution that would not be silenced even if dissolved. "Dissolving a political party merely ends a legal entity, but it can never silence its ideology," the party said in a video posted on Facebook.
Move Forward won the parliamentary election last year but was unable to form a government. Its charismatic leader, Pita, was repeatedly rejected as a candidate for prime minister by senators aligned with the military.
Party bans are not uncommon in Thailand. Future Forward, the predecessor of Move Forward, was also banned in 2020. Often, members simply form a new party. Deputy party leader Sirikanya Tansakul emphasized in the Facebook video, "The spirit of Future Forward and Move Forward will live on, regardless of the name of the party."
The dissolution of the Move Forward Party has not dampened the spirit of its supporters, as they plan to attend a massive protest party in solidarity. Despite being barred from holding political office for a decade, former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat and other senior members remain determined to continue advocating for the relaxation of the lese-majeste law.
