Thailand: Move Forward Party to be Disbanded Amid Push to Decriminalize ‘Lese Majeste’ Policy

Thailand's Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in last year's general election, is expected to be dissolved following a request by the country's Election Commission over concerns about the party's campaign to change the country's "lese majeste" law and the policy of royal reverence enshrined in the Thai constitution.

The commission announced on Tuesday (Mar. 12) that it would ask the Thai Constitutional Court to disband the party following its January ruling that said Move Forward violated the constitution with its plans to amend the lese majeste law, which is written in Article 112 of the country's criminal code, constituted an attempt to destroy Thailand's constitutional monarchy, Australian public broadcaster ABC reported.

"There is evidence that Move Forward undermines the democratic system with the king as the head of state," The Election Commission said in its statement. "The Election Commission has considered and analyzed the Constitutional Court verdict and has decided unanimously to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Move Forward party."

(Photo: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Progressive Policies Divide Thailand

Move Forward's progressive agenda has resonated among the young and urban voters and it also won a stunning victory over military-backed parties in the recent election. However, its plan to change lese majeste laws outraged conservative lawmakers allied with the royalist military who torpedoed the party's attempts to form a government.

If the party gets dissolved, its leaders—like Pita Limjaroenrat—could be banned from politics for 10 years.

Thailand's lese majeste legislation carries a punishment of up to 15 years in jail for each perceived insult or defamation against the king, queen, heir, and regent.

The palace typically does not comment on the lese majeste law, but rights activists said that conservative politicians have abused the law to smear liberal opponents and stifle institutional reforms.

Over 260 people have been prosecuted under the legislation since 2020, including a man facing a record 50 years jail time over Facebook posts critical of the monarchy.