Michelle ThompsonOn Wednesday, a Thai court ordered the dissolution of the kingdom’s most popular political party, dealing a significant blow to the progressive movement and potentially leading to more political unrest in Thailand.
The Move Forward Party, which achieved a remarkable victory in the 2023 elections by securing the most parliamentary seats on a platform of anti-establishment reforms, garnered widespread support, particularly from younger voters dissatisfied with years of military-backed rule.
The Constitutional Court in Bangkok issued the ruling to disband Move Forward following a request from Thailand’s Election Commission. The court’s decision was based on the party’s campaign to amend the lese majeste law, which is known for its severe penalties for insulting the monarchy. The court unanimously declared that Move Forward was “undermining the monarchy” and, therefore, “the constitutional court has to inevitably disband the party.”
Earlier in January, the same court had ordered Move Forward to halt its lese majeste campaign, accusing its leaders, including former prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, of attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. However, the ruling on Wednesday went further by dissolving the party and banning its executives from participating in politics for 10 years, effectively silencing the voices of the 14 million people who voted for them and raising new concerns about the erosion of democratic rights in Thailand.
Move Forward’s leaders have vowed that the dissolution will not end their movement. Pita, in an interview with the Associated Press this week, stated that they would continue their fight to ensure Move Forward “becomes the last party that joins the graveyard of political parties.”
This ruling is the first of two highly sensitive political cases that could deepen the power struggle between Thailand’s establishment and its progressive factions. Next week, the court is expected to rule on another case, which seeks to remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office for appointing a lawyer with a criminal record to his Cabinet.
A devastating or severe impact.
Move Forward’s victory in the election marked a significant win for progressive forces, delivering a major setback to the conservative, military-aligned establishment that has governed Thailand intermittently for decades, often by toppling popularly elected governments through coups.
However, despite its success, Move Forward was unable to form a government due to insufficient support for its royal reform agenda in parliament, which is structured to heavily favor the establishment, a legacy of the previous military junta.
Following this, Pita stepped down as the party leader, and Move Forward transitioned into the main opposition.
Thailand’s political landscape has a history of parties advocating for change being suppressed by the powerful establishment, a coalition of the military, royalists, and influential elites.
Institutions like the election commission, anti-corruption commission, and the Constitutional Court, though supposedly independent, are largely controlled by establishment interests.
During the election, young people told CNN they felt like the “forgotten generation,” having lived under military-backed rule for nine years and struggling with issues like finding employment and affording housing. One young lawmaker mentioned, “We just can’t see our future in this country.”
The recent court ruling is likely to deepen the sense of despair among many young supporters, who feel that meaningful change within Thailand’s political system is unlikely.
Progressive lawmakers have faced bans, party dissolutions, and government overthrows. Thailand has experienced a dozen successful coups since 1932, including two in the last 20 years.
This is the second time the court has ordered the dissolution of parties associated with Move Forward’s progressive agenda.
Move Forward, which succeeded the Future Forward Party that secured the third most seats in the 2019 election, saw the latter party dissolved by the Constitutional Court shortly after the vote, with its leaders banned from politics for a decade.
This dissolution led to widespread protests across the country in 2020, driven by a new generation of young political leaders who openly criticized the monarchy and questioned its influence and wealth.
Lese majeste laws are likely to remain in place.
The recent ruling may effectively prevent any party or individual from advocating for changes to lese majeste, known as Section 112, without breaching the constitution.
Reform calls around the monarchy have stirred significant unrest in Thailand, where discussing the royal family openly carries severe risks. Criticizing the king, queen, or heir apparent can result in up to 15 years in prison for each offense, with some sentences under Section 112 extending to decades.
Recent years have seen numerous prosecutions, including Mongkol Thirakhot, who received a record 50-year prison term in January for social media posts deemed harmful to the king. Under lese majeste, anyone, even ordinary citizens, can file charges on behalf of the king, even if they are not directly involved in the case. Move Forward had pledged to reduce lese majeste sentences and restrict who can file complaints.
Human rights organizations and free speech advocates have long argued that lese majeste laws are used politically to suppress critics of the Thai government. Many protesters now face lese majeste charges and lengthy prison terms.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, since protests began in July 2020, at least 1,954 individuals have been prosecuted for participating in political assemblies, with at least 272 charged under lese majeste.
Prominent activist lawyer Arnon Nampa is serving an eight-year sentence for two lese majeste convictions. The recent death of a young activist in pre-trial detention for lese majeste charges has heightened calls for justice reform in Thailand.
Emily Martinez
