A court has ordered Thailand’s largest pro-democracy opposition party to disband. The Move Forward Party took the most seats in last year’s general election and remains popular, so the order could trigger a backlash from supporters.
The Constitutional Court ruled that the party’s campaign pledge to amend the royal defamation law had the intention to undermine the monarchy, and could lead to the overthrow of the democratic regime headed by the king. The law makes it illegal to insult the royal family.
The court also barred Pita Limjaroenrat and other party leaders from any political activities for 10 years.
A supporter who came to the party headquarters said: “It’s like the court doesn’t see the importance of the party representing the people they work for. It’s like they don’t see the importance of the people’s voice.”
The Move Forward Party won over young voters with its promise to amend the royal defamation law and end the military’s influence in politics. But it was locked out of the coalition government and became an opposition party.
In January, the Constitutional Court ruled the party’s bid to amend the law was unconstitutional. Then in March, the Election Commission asked the court to disband the Move Forward Party.