Thai Opposition Faces New Legal Challenge as Activists Pursue Lifetime Bans, Reports Reuters

Activists in Thailand have submitted a petition seeking life bans for numerous members of the Move Forward party, in a continuing effort to suppress a popular opposition that attempted to challenge the country’s stringent laws against insulting the monarchy.

The complaints were filed with the anti-corruption commission, aiming to disqualify 44 politicians from Move Forward, citing serious ethical violations related to their support for a previously unimaginable initiative to amend Thailand’s harsh lese majeste laws.

Recently, the Constitutional Court ruled that Move Forward must retract its proposal to review article 112 of the criminal code, which imposes prison sentences of up to 15 years for offending the monarchy. The court stated that this proposal undermined the institution of the monarchy.

Thailand’s constitution firmly places the king in a role of “revered worship,” leading royalists to view the palace as inviolable. Sonthiya Sawadee, one of the petitioners, criticized Move Forward’s plans, claiming, “These actions are a legacy of sins,” and accused them of attempting to destabilize the democratic system that recognizes the king as head of state.

Move Forward emerged as a significant force in last year’s elections, garnering extensive support from young, urban voters with a progressive platform focused on dismantling business monopolies and reducing the military’s entrenched influence in politics. However, their controversial initiative to amend article 112 met with fierce backlash from conservative factions, resulting in their exclusion from government formation by lawmakers aligned with royalist military interests.

Despite being in opposition, Move Forward holds the largest number of seats in parliament and pursues an anti-establishment agenda that conflicts with the interests of powerful conservative elites and military leaders.

The recent complaint specifically targets 44 lawmakers from Move Forward, including both current and former members. It remains uncertain whether the anti-graft agency, which has a broader mandate than just corruption, will investigate this latest allegation, which is the second such complaint against the party in recent days.

Additionally, an activist lawyer who has previously succeeded in unseating politicians, including a prime minister, lodged a separate complaint on Thursday seeking the dissolution of Move Forward and restrictions on its leadership.

As of Friday, the party’s website no longer listed the amendment of the lese majeste law among its official policies. Deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul stated, “We are ready to defend ourselves … reviewing laws is the responsibility of legislators,” and emphasized, “We are not worried because we have evidence to show we have not breached ethical standards.”