11 July 2024

The Future Forward party has dismissed widespread speculation, even among opposition MPs, that it is likely to be dissolved by the Constitutional Court over a number of cases pending with the court and other independent organizations.

Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul said Monday that he didn’t understand why there is speculation now, adding that, in his opinion, there is only one case pending with the Constitutional Court, but there is no provision in the law empowering the court to disband the party.

The single case in question was filed with the Constitutional Court by Mr. Natthaporn Toprayoon, who accused the Future Forward party of being hostile to a Constitutional Monarchy, citing the party’s inverted triangle logo which, according to Mr. Natthaporn, resembles the symbol of the Illuminati, founded in Germany in 1776, which was believed to have been behind the overthrow of monarchies in several European countries.

“I have confidence that the Future Forward party will not be dissolved. At the meetings with our MPs, I always tell them that, legally, we will fight to the end, but we are not the one who makes the judgment,” said Piyabutr.

He stressed, however, that the best way to protect the party from dissolution is to work creatively to persuade the people to accept that Thailand needs a party like Future Forward.

Meanwhile, party spokeswoman, Ms. Pannika Wanich, rebuked some Pheu Thai MPs for adding fuel to the speculation. She said opposition parties should concentrate on working together, especially on the censure debate against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, instead of spreading unfounded rumours.

Of all the cases lodged against the party, she said only the case claiming the party is linked to the centuries-old Illuminati is of serious concern.