National —
At 9:30 AM on August 7th, 2024, the Thai Constitutional Court convened to discuss and vote on Thirayuth Suwankaesoorn’s petition seeking the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the revocation of the electoral rights of its executive members for their campaign to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
The petition also called for a 10-year ban on these individuals from forming or participating in any political party, citing actions that undermined the democratic system with His Royal Majesty the King as Head of State.
The Court’s investigation deemed the party’s activities as efforts to erode the monarchy’s value and found them in violation of the 2017 Political Parties Act.
At 3:00 PM, the Thai Constitutional Court delivered its verdict, ruling in favor of dissolving the Move Forward Party. The verdict also imposed a 10-year disqualification on 11 executive members, including prominent figures Pita Limjaroenrat, Chaithawat Tulathon, Nathipat Kulsettasit, Nakornpong Supanimittrakul, Padipat Santipada, Somchai Fangchalachit, Amornrat Chokpamitkul, Apichart Sirisunthon, Benja Saengchan, Suthep U-on, and Abhisit Promrit.
The Court argued that the party’s push to amend Section 112, presented during their campaign and publicized on their website, amounted to a coordinated effort to diminish the monarchy’s status.
