Thai Constitutional Court Gives Results, Future Dates on Multiple Major Cases Such as Move Forward Party and Thai PM

National —

On June 18th, 2024, the Thai Constitutional Court convened to deliberate on several high-profile cases, including the Election Commission’s (EC) petition to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP), a case involving Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Minister Pichit Chuenban, legal issues surrounding Thaksin Shinawatra, and the election of senators.

The court examined the EC’s petition to dissolve the MFP, citing allegations that the party attempted to overthrow the monarchy and democratic governance. This petition followed a February 29th, 2024, ruling that MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s proposal to amend Section 112 constituted an attempt to overthrow the government.

The EC’s request includes a 10-year ban on the party’s executive committee members from running for election or registering a new party. The court has ordered the submission of additional evidence by July 3rd, 2024, and set a hearing for July 9th, 2024.

In another significant case, the court reviewed the petition submitted by the Senate President, backed by 40 senators, challenging the qualifications of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Minister Pichit Chuenban.

The petition argued that Srettha’s appointment of Pichit violated constitutional standards due to Pichit’s previous six-month imprisonment for contempt of court.

The court dismissed the petition concerning Pichit but accepted the one regarding Srettha, requesting relevant documents within 15 days for further review on July 10th, 2024.

Srettha did not attend the hearing today (June 19th) as he previously took sick leave after testing positive for COVID-19.

The court also addressed the case of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces charges under Section 112 or lese-majeste and the Computer Crimes Act for disseminating false information.

Thaksin, currently out on bail with his passport confiscated, awaits an evidence review hearing scheduled for August 19th, 2024.

Lastly, the court reviewed a case challenging the constitutionality of sections 36, 40, 41, and 42 of the Organic Act on the Election of Senators.

The Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that these provisions do not contradict Section 107 of the Constitution and that the ongoing Senate election shall proceed as normal.

Read our latest article about a political scientist analyzing potential shifts in the Thai political landscape amid legal cases against the Prime Minister and the Move Forward Party.

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Pattaya News, owned by our parent company TPN media.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for five years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.