IN PHOTOS: Thai court dissolves Move Forward Party after law amendment proposal

Updated On: 07 August, 2024 04:34 PM IST | Sanjana Deshpande

The Constitutional Court of Thailand has ordered the dissolution of the Move Forward Party. This decision stems from the party`s proposal to amend a law that prohibits defaming the royal family, which the court ruled as an attempt to overthrow the nation`s constitutional monarchy. Pics/ AFP

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<p>The court unanimously agreed that the Move Forward Party`s campaign to amend the royal defamation law, known as Article 112, violated the Thai constitution. </p>

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The court unanimously agreed that the Move Forward Party`s campaign to amend the royal defamation law, known as Article 112, violated the Thai constitution.

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This law imposes severe penalties, including up to 15 years in jail per offence, for any criticism of the monarchy.

<p>The Election Commission filed the petition against the Move Forward Party following the court`s January ruling that the party must cease its advocacy for changes to Article 112. The commission argued that the party`s actions were unconstitutional and posed a threat to the monarchy.</p>

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The Election Commission filed the petition against the Move Forward Party following the court`s January ruling that the party must cease its advocacy for changes to Article 112. The commission argued that the party`s actions were unconstitutional and posed a threat to the monarchy.

<p>The court`s decision includes a 10-year ban on political activity for the party`s executive members. This ban affects prominent figures such as the former leader Pita Limjaroenrat and the current chief Chaithawat Tulathon, who led the campaign for the law`s amendment.</p>

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The court`s decision includes a 10-year ban on political activity for the party`s executive members. This ban affects prominent figures such as the former leader Pita Limjaroenrat and the current chief Chaithawat Tulathon, who led the campaign for the law`s amendment.

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It remains uncertain what will happen to the non-executive lawmakers of the dissolved Move Forward Party.

<p>However, Pita Limjaroenrat mentioned in an interview that the party is working to ensure a "smooth transition into a new house" or a new political party for these members.</p>

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However, Pita Limjaroenrat mentioned in an interview that the party is working to ensure a "smooth transition into a new house" or a new political party for these members.

<p>According to Thai law, lawmakers from a dissolved political party can retain their seats in Parliament if they join a new party within 60 days. This provision may allow Move Forward Party members to continue their legislative roles under a different banner.</p>

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According to Thai law, lawmakers from a dissolved political party can retain their seats in Parliament if they join a new party within 60 days. This provision may allow Move Forward Party members to continue their legislative roles under a different banner.

<p>The dissolution of the Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 elections but failed to secure power, highlights the ongoing political tensions in Thailand. The party`s reform agenda and its significant electoral victory represented a challenge to the conservative establishment.</p>

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The dissolution of the Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 elections but failed to secure power, highlights the ongoing political tensions in Thailand. The party`s reform agenda and its significant electoral victory represented a challenge to the conservative establishment.

<p>The latest legal action against the Move Forward Party has drawn widespread criticism. Many view it as part of a prolonged campaign by conservative forces to suppress progressive movements and maintain their dominance in Thai politics.</p>

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The latest legal action against the Move Forward Party has drawn widespread criticism. Many view it as part of a prolonged campaign by conservative forces to suppress progressive movements and maintain their dominance in Thai politics.

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IN PHOTOS: Thai court dissolves Move Forward Party after law amendment proposal

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Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach