The Move Forward party said on Friday that potential coalition partners need not support its controversial stance on amending the royal insult law, as it seeks to win the backing of other parties to form a government, according to Reuters.
Move Forward, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, won the most seats in the lower house in this week’s general election, riding on a wave of youth support for policies like undoing business monopolies and amending the strict lèse majesté law (Article 112 of the criminal code).
“If parties agree with us on 112, then we are ready to include it in the agreement, but it is not a condition for joining the government,” senior Move Forward party member Sirikanya Tansakul said on a morning talk show, adding that the party would table the amendment in parliament independently.
A coalition agreement is expected to be announced on Monday.
The lèse majesté law prescribes a sentence of up to 15 years in prison for perceived offences against the monarchy, which many Thais consider sacrosanct. Opponents say it is used to stifle dissent, as some 200 people have been charged in recent years under the law. Move Forward wants to amend the law to reduce prison terms and narrow down complainants to just the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Move Forward’s eight-party coalition talks have, so far, mustered 313 votes in the 750-seat bicameral legislature, but under the constitution, it will need support from either the Senate or other parties to appoint its leader as the next prime minister.
Third-place in the election was the Bhumjaithai party, which commands a critical voting bloc. It said that it would not support any prime minister who would amend the lèse majesté law.
According to Reuters, analysts say not forcing other parties to adopt its position on lèse majesté could help Move Forward attract additional votes in parliament.
“They have decelerated significantly on this issue, which eases the pressure on government parties when (making a decision on) supporting the coalition,” political scientist Wanwichit Boonprong of Rangsit University said.
Another divisive topic is the partial decriminalisation of cannabis, the use of which was liberalised last year without accompanying regulations in place, leading to a surge in recreational use that has angered conservatives.
Move Forward claims it will re-criminalise the substance before deploying a legal framework allowing for medical and regulated recreational use.
“We support medical use of marijuana and recreational use must be regulated,” a recently elected parliamentarian for Move Forward, Parit Wacharasindhu, said.
