The main progressive political party in Thailand, the Move Forward Party, has been disbanded by court order and has reformed under a new name, the People’s Party, just two days later. The party, led by former chief Pita Limjaroenrat, was dissolved for proposing a constitutional amendment that would criminalize insulting the royal family. Despite facing opposition from conservative forces, the Move Forward Party rebranded itself as the People’s Party to continue its fight for reforms and democratic values in Thailand.
With 148 lawmakers in Parliament, the reformed party, now known as the People’s Party, aims to challenge for a single-party government in the 2027 elections. The new leader of the party, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, shared this ambitious goal during the inaugural meeting attended by party members and lawmakers. The move to regroup under a new name comes as a response to the court ruling that disbanded the Move Forward Party and banned some of its executives from politics for a decade.
International concern has been raised following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party. The U.S. State Department highlighted that the court’s decision disenfranchises the millions of Thai citizens who voted for the party in the 2023 election, jeopardizing Thailand’s democratic progress. Similarly, the European Union and the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns over the ruling, stating that it restricts political pluralism and undermines democratic processes in Thailand.
In response to the international reaction, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized Thailand’s sovereignty and its own political processes. He called for Move Forward to respect the court’s decision while finding ways to continue its work within the legal framework. The formation of the People’s Party marks a new chapter in Thailand’s political landscape as progressive forces strive to uphold democratic values and push for reforms despite facing challenges from conservative opposition.
