Dissolved Move Forward members to unveil new party; here's why Thailand banned it earlier

Thailand’s Move Forward Party, which was disbanded by a court ruling on Wednesday (August 7), has called on its supporters to rally behind its new identity and leadership. The next day, the party urged people to make their voices heard at the ballot box rather than through street protests.

The progressive party, which secured the most votes in last year’s general election but was blocked from assuming power, is set to unveil its new name and leadership on Friday (August 9).

“Move Forward moves to a new party - all 143 of our parliamentarians are coming with us,” the party said, promising that there would be no defections.

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Why was the party dissolved?

The Constitutional Court’s decision to dissolve the party stems from Move Forward’s controversial campaign proposal to amend a law that criminalises defamation of the royal family, known as Article 112.

The court argued that the party’s stance on the issue constituted an attempt to undermine the country’s constitutional monarchy. The law, which imposes penalties of up to 15 years in prison per offense, has long been a sensitive topic in Thailand’s political landscape, with critics arguing that it has been used to stifle dissent.

Move Forward has consistently maintained that its aim is not to abolish the monarchy but to ensure it remains above politics, free from exploitation as a political tool.

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The party’s proposal, however, drew the ire of the conservative establishment, which remains deeply intertwined with the country’s old-money elites and the royalist military.

International reactions to the court’s decision have been swift and critical. The European Union, United States, United Nations, and various human rights organisations have condemned the ruling, with the EU stating that it harms democratic openness in Thailand.

This marks the third time that a progressive party in Thailand has been forced to reinvent itself following a dissolution. The predecessor to Move Forward, the Future Forward Party, was disbanded in 2020 over a campaign financing violation, a move that sparked nationwide anti-government protests.

What’s next?

The rebranded party will be led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a 37-year-old tech entrepreneur, and will be known as “Prachachon,” which translates to “People” in English. The party’s spokesperson shared the news with journalists in Bangkok, signaling the start of a new chapter in its ongoing struggle against Thailand’s entrenched political establishment.

The party’s dissolution and subsequent rebranding come amid a broader crackdown on progressive political movements in Thailand. The military-appointed Senate, a body known for its conservative leanings, blocked Move Forward’s charismatic leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, from becoming prime minister last year. Pita, along with 10 other party executives, has been banned from holding public office for the next decade.

With inputs from agencies