2024-08-07 09:30:03
BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai court on Wednesday ordered the dissolution of the Progressive Party, which won the 2023 election, accusing the party of violating the constitution by proposing changes to a law banning defamation of the royal family.
The Constitutional Court said it unanimously approved the party’s dissolution because its campaign to change regulations was seen as an attempt to overthrow the country’s constitutional monarchy.
The electoral commission submitted a petition to the Avanza party after the Constitutional Court ruled in January that the party should stop pushing for changes to the law, known as Article 112, which protects the monarchy from criticism and carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison.
The ruling states that people who hold executive positions within the party during election campaigns will be barred from participating in politics for 10 years.
It’s unclear what will happen to other non-executive lawmakers, although Pita said in an interview with The Associated Press that the party would ensure their “smooth transition to a new house” or a new party.
MPs from dissolved parties can retain their parliamentary records if they join a new party within 60 days.
Avanza’s party and its reformist agenda won a surprising majority in the 2023 parliamentary elections, but failed to govern. The court case is one of many that has drawn intense criticism and is seen as part of a years-long assault on progressive movements by conservative forces trying to stay in power.
1723023785
#Thai #court #dissolves #Progressive #Party #wins #election #govern
