A source within the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) says the body may soon reach a decision on a case involving 44 former MPs of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP).
The NACC has to deliberate on whether to forward the case to the Supreme Court over alleged ethical violations related to the former MPs' proposal to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or lèse-majesté.
Previously, the NACC ruled that all of them had committed serious ethical violations and requested an extension to file a petition with the Supreme Court.
According to the source, the matter is expected to be submitted to a full board meeting within one or two days, or by the end of this week.
The meeting must be formally convened by the NACC chairperson before the board decides whether to endorse the petition for submission to the Supreme Court. If approved, the case will proceed to judicial review by the court. Any suspension of duties for the former MFP MPs who are currently holding office will depend on the court.
There are expectations that they could face a lifetime ban from standing for election and a temporary loss of voting rights.
Among the 44 individuals, 10 are currently serving as MPs in the 27th House of Representatives under the People's Party (PP). These include Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Sirikanya Tansakun, Rangsiman Rome, Wayo Assawarungruang, Pakornwut Udompipatskul, Nattawut Buaprathum, Surachet Pravinvongvuth, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, Teerajchai Phunthumas and Taopiphop Limjittrakorn.
The case stems from a 2021 proposal led by former MFP leader and MP Pita Limjaroenrat to make amendments to Section 112, including reducing penalties and limiting possible plaintiffs in related cases to only the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Meanwhile, during the PP's seminar in Chon Buri on Sunday, party leader Mr Natthaphong said the gathering is an effort to "plant the seeds" of shared ideology passed down from the party's predecessors, including the MFP and the Future Forward Party.
He also framed Thailand's political divide not as left versus right, but rather between up and down, that is, between the elite-driven politics and the people-centred one.
The party's goal, he said, is to eventually turn Thai politics into more of the latter kind.
