Thailand's Move Forward Party Ban

SOURCE www.npr.org
Thailand's Constitutional Court has banned the Move Forward Party for attempting to amend the law against defaming the country's royal family, citing it as a threat to the constitutional monarchy. The party's senior leaders are banned from politics for 10 years, despite being the top vote-getter in the 2023 general election.

Key Points

  • Move Forward Party banned for attempting to amend law against defaming royal family
  • Constitutional Court deems party's actions as a threat to Thailand's constitutional monarchy
  • Party's dissolution reminiscent of fate of predecessor, Future Forward

Pros

  • Party won 14 million votes in the 2023 general election, making it the top vote-getter
  • Running on a platform of demilitarization, demonopolization, and decentralization resonated with Thai voters, especially the youth
  • Public opinion consistently showed party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the people's preferred choice for prime minister

Cons

  • Party dissolved due to proposing to amend law against defaming the royal family, perceived as an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy
  • Party leaders banned from politics for 10 years by the Constitutional Court
  • Selective enforcement of lèse-majesté law targeting opponents of Thailand's royalist establishment