US expresses deep concern as Thai court dissolves opposition party

August 8, 2024 TruthUSA

The court ruled that the Move Forward Party should be dissolved for advocating reform of a law which bans criticism of the country’s monarchy.

A nine-judge Constitutional Court in Thailand on Aug. 7 ordered the dissolution of the country’s main political opposition party over its advocating for changes to the kingdom’s strict lese majeste law, a move that has raised concerns at the U.S. State Department.

The court issued its ruling in response to a petition from the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) seeking the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) for its campaign promoting reforms to the law that prohibits criticism of the monarchy under the threat of imprisonment.

During its campaigns, the MFP pushed for lighter penalties in lese majeste cases and a more thorough process for filing charges.

Following the party’s dissolution, 11 of its executives, including former leader Pita Limjaroenrat, have been barred from running for political office for a decade. The remaining 143 lawmakers from the party plan to establish a new political entity.

The court’s decision comes after a ruling in January which deemed the MFP’s pledge to change the law unconstitutional and undermining the governance system with the king as the head of state.

Matthew Miller, U.S. Department of State spokesman, expressed on Aug. 7 in a statement that the decision to dissolve the party and prohibit 11 of its leaders is “deeply troubling.”

“As a close ally and friend, we urge Thailand to ensure fully inclusive political participation and the freedoms of association and expression,” he said.

Miller mentioned that the action “disenfranchises” over 14 million citizens who supported the MFP in the May 2023 national elections and raises doubts about their representation within Thailand’s electoral system.

He also warned that this move could jeopardize “Thailand’s democratic progress” and goes against the desires of the Thai people for a robust democratic future.

“The United States does not take a position in support of any political party, but as a close ally and friend with deep and enduring ties, we urge Thailand to take actions to ensure fully inclusive political participation, and to protect democracy and the freedoms of association and expression,” added Miller.

The anti-establishment MFP secured the most seats in the 2023 Thailand election, with 151 out of 500 in the lower house of parliament. However, the party was unable to form a government due to insufficient votes in the military-appointed senate.

In February 2020, the Constitutional Court also dissolved the reformist Future Forward Party, the predecessor to the MFP, for allegedly receiving an illegal loan from its leader.

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