Thailand’s poll body asks court to disband Move Forward party, which won most seats in last year’s election
- The move follows a Constitutional Court ruling that Move Forward violated the constitution with plans to change a law against insulting the monarchy
- Move Forward’s predecessor, Future Forward, championed similar policies and was disbanded in 2020 for violating campaign funding rules
Thailand’s election commission on Tuesday passed a resolution to request a court to dissolve the opposition Move Forward party (MPF).
The move followed a ruling by the Constitutional Court in January that said Move Forward, which won last year’s general election, had violated the constitution with its plans to change a law against insulting the monarchy, saying the campaign was a hidden effort to undermine the powerful crown.
“There is evidence that Move Forward undermines the democratic system with the king as the head of state,” the Election Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Election Commission has considered and analysed the Constitutional Court verdict and has decided unanimously to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Move Forward Party.”
MFP upended Thailand’s political order in May’s election, scoring the most votes after a campaign promising reform of the military, the kingdom’s business monopolies and to amend strict lèse-majesté laws.
Their anti-establishment platform included a proposal to amend article 112 of the criminal code, which carries punishment of up to 15 years jail for each perceived insult of the royal family.
But their audacious bid – which shocked the Thai establishment – ended with them locked out of government following months of political wrangling.
