Thailand’s registrar of political parties has rejected four complaints, demanding that the Election Commission (EC) proposes to the Constitutional Court that the Move Forward party be disbanded, on the grounds that all of the complaints lack credible evidence.
One of the complaints accuses Move Forward MP for Phitsanuloke, Padipat Suntiphada, of offending the monarchy during his campaign speech in the province on March 5th this year, in violation of the edict on electoral campaigning.
The second and third complaints accuse the Move Forward party of having a policy to abrogate the lèse majesté law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Court, citing an interview given by party leader Pita Limjaroenrat and the statement of Amarat Chokepamitkul, an executive member of the party, confirming the party’s stance on the issue.
The fourth complaint accuses the party of allowing leaders of the Progressive Movement, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Pannika Wanich, to dominate the party, depriving it of independence.
According to an informed source close to the EC, its Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee, who is also the registrar of political parties, has dismissed all four complaints because they lack sufficient credible evidence to convince him that the Move Forward party has committed the alleged offences.
Altogether, 83 complaints demanding the dissolution of various parties have been filed with the registrar since 2020, 61 of which have been dropped due to insufficient credible evidence.
Currently, only 6 complaints are pending the registrar’s consideration.
