Thailand Court Dissolves Progressive Move Forward Party

Thailand's Constitutional Court has dissolved the Move Forward Party, which won the 2023 elections, for trying to amend a law against defaming the royal family. The ruling includes a 10-year political ban on executive members and allows non-executive lawmakers to keep their seats if they join a new party within 60 days.

In a landmark decision, Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday ruled to dissolve the progressive Move Forward Party, which emerged victorious in the 2023 national elections. The court's verdict cited the party's violation of the constitution by attempting to amend laws against criminal defamation of the royal family as the primary reason for dissolution.

Unanimously, the court declared that the Move Forward Party's campaign to modify Article 112, a law that protects the monarchy from criticism with stringent penalties, was tantamount to an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. The Election Commission had filed a petition against the party following a January ruling that prohibited further advocacy for the law's amendment.

The dissolution verdict also enacts a 10-year ban on political participation for the party's executive members, including the popular former leader Pita Limjaroenrat and current chief Chaithawat Tulathon. As the fallout continues, non-executive lawmakers are left to transition smoothly into new parties within a 60-day period to maintain their parliamentary seats. The decision is the latest in a series of legal actions seen as efforts by conservative forces to clamp down on Thailand's progressive movement.

(With inputs from agencies.)