Bangkok – Ten newly elected members of Thailand’s progressive People’s Party, including their top prime ministerial candidate, have been accused of an ethics breach over their efforts to reform the country’s royal insult law. The accusations, made on February 9, could lead to their ban from politics.
Thailand’s Lese Majeste Law
Thailand’s lese majeste law protects the king and his family from criticism and carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison per offense.
The conservative Bhumjaithai party, led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, won a stunning election victory on February 8, according to preliminary results, placing the People’s Party in second despite earlier polling data.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced on February 9 that it had referred the case of the 10 People’s Party MPs to the Supreme Court.
Among those accused are Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the party’s first-choice prime ministerial candidate, Sirikanya Tansakul, and Rangsiman Rome.
The NACC stated that the 10, along with 34 other current and former progressive MPs, proposed amendments to the lese-majeste law through draft legislation. The commission found the draft bill demonstrated “a lack of commitment to uphold the democratic system with the king as the head of state,” and constituted a “serious breach of ethical standards.”
If the Supreme Court accepts the case, the accused MPs could face suspension. A guilty verdict could result in a lifetime ban from holding political office and a 10-year loss of voting rights.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who has stated his party will join the opposition in Parliament, reported on February 9 that he had not received any notification from the NACC or the court.
Conservative elites maintain a strong presence in Thailand, a country with a history of progressive politicians being ousted and their parties disbanded through judicial rulings.
In 2024, Thailand’s constitutional court dissolved the predecessor to the People’s Party, Move Forward, ruling that its pledge to reform the lese majeste law amounted to an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward, was also prevented from becoming prime minister after the 2023 election and was banned from politics for 10 years.
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