Thailand’s main opposition Move Forward Party faced a significant setback as the country’s Constitutional Court ordered it to halt all attempts to amend the royal insult law, Article 112, citing violations of the charter. The ruling stated that the party’s campaign to modify the law constituted an effort to undermine the constitutional monarchy.
The court condemned Move Forward’s alleged covert agenda to undermine the form of government with the king as the head of state, disguised as a proposal to amend the contentious law. It emphasized that the continuous efforts to abolish or amend the law, utilizing protests, social media campaigns, legislative processes, and election activities, could potentially lead to the downfall of the democratic regime with the king as the head of state.
The Move Forward Party’s commitment to reform the draconian law was pivotal to its campaign success, garnering 40% of popular votes in the general election in May. While the party continues to operate despite the guilty verdict, it will be deprived of its flagship agenda that resonated with urban voters and the youth demographic.
The verdict follows a pattern of legal action against pro-democracy parties and activists in Thailand. The Move Forward Party’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, was dissolved in 2020. Moreover, 263 individuals have been charged under the lese majeste law since November 2020, as reported by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.
This decision raises significant concerns about political freedoms and the future of democratic activism in Thailand. The ruling not only affects the Move Forward Party’s political standing but also highlights the ongoing challenges to free expression and political dissent in the country.
Market Capital Research 