The Constitutional Court of Thailand issued a ruling on Wednesday, declaring the opposition Move Forward Party’s (MFP) efforts to amend the country’s royal insult law as unlawful. The court ordered an immediate halt to any endeavors aimed at pushing for such changes, raising the specter of potential political bans on the party and its members should they be found to contravene the law.
The genesis of the case lies in a petition alleging that the MFP violated the “lèse-majesté” law during the country’s 2023 elections. During the campaign, the party espoused a platform of reform, including pledges to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code. This provision mandates severe penalties, ranging from three to fifteen years’ imprisonment, for anyone found to have defamed, insulted, or threatened the King, Queen, Heir-apparent, or Regent. Notably, a recent instance saw an individual sentenced to 50 years in prison for social media posts deemed defamatory towards the royal family.
Critics assert that the law is frequently wielded as a tool to suppress political dissent, target opposition parties, and silence activists critical of the government. Just this month, Thai activist and lawyer Aaron Nampa received a four-year jail term for criticizing King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s spending habits and extravagant displays of wealth.
Responding to the court’s ruling, the MFP took to social media to deny any intent to harm the country or subvert the constitutional monarchy. They argued that the decision would have detrimental ramifications for both democracy and the monarchy, potentially complicating the functioning of the government. Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon acknowledged the party’s acceptance of the ruling but warned of a “loss of political space” that could further entangle the supposedly impartial monarchy in political affairs, casting them as a “factor” in other political disputes.
Presently, Palang Pracharath Party member Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has pledged to petition for the dissolution of the MFP for breaching the lese-majeste law and to seek the banning of party leaders from political participation. Notably, Ruangkrai had twice previously petitioned for the party’s dissolution last year, although these attempts were dismissed by the court.
The MFP, emerging from the dissolution of the Future Movement Party in 2020 following a Constitutional Court ruling, garnered significant electoral support in 2023. However, it faced challenges in seating prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat amid staunch opposition from conservative elements within the government. Despite boasting a broad base of support among Thai youth and Pita’s recent legal victory in a case seeking to bar him from politics due to electoral violations, the party now confronts a similar fate.