Thailand’s poll body asks court to disband Move Forward party, which won most seats in last year’s election
- The move follows a Constitutional Court ruling that Move Forward violated the constitution with plans to change a law against insulting the monarchy
- Move Forward’s predecessor, Future Forward, championed similar policies and was disbanded in 2020 for violating campaign funding rules
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Thailand’s election commission on Tuesday passed a resolution to request a court to dissolve the opposition Move Forward party (MPF).
The move followed a ruling by the Constitutional Court in January that said Move Forward, which won last year’s general election, had violated the constitution with its plans to change a law against insulting the monarchy, saying the campaign was a hidden effort to undermine the powerful crown.
“There is evidence that Move Forward undermines the democratic system with the king as the head of state,” the Election Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
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“The Election Commission has considered and analysed the Constitutional Court verdict and has decided unanimously to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Move Forward Party.”
MFP upended Thailand’s political order in May’s election, scoring the most votes after a campaign promising reform of the military, the kingdom’s business monopolies and to amend strict lèse-majesté laws.
Their anti-establishment platform included a proposal to amend article 112 of the criminal code, which carries punishment of up to 15 years jail for each perceived insult of the royal family.
But their audacious bid – which shocked the Thai establishment – ended with them locked out of government following months of political wrangling.
Despite winning most seats, MFP was excluded from the coalition that formed the government, and then-leader Pita Limjaroenrat was blocked from becoming prime minister.
Thailand’s monarchy is enshrined in the constitution to be held in a position of “revered worship.”
Thailand has a history of political parties being wound up by judicial intervention. The palace typically does not comment on the lese majeste law.
Rights activists say the law has been abused by conservative politicians to smear liberal opponents and stifle institutional reforms. More than 260 people have been prosecuted under the legislation since 2020, including a man facing a record 50 years jail time over Facebook posts critical of the monarchy.
“We have no intention to overthrow the democratic system with the king as the head of state,” Move Forward party spokesperson Parit Wacharasindhu said on Tuesday.
“We will prove our innocence at the Constitutional Court,” he said.
Move Forward’s leader Pita said in an interview last month the party had a succession plan if it was dissolved, and the party’s ideology would live on.
Move Forward’s predecessor, Future Forward, had championed similar policies and was disbanded by the Constitutional Court in 2020 for violating campaign funding rules.
