The People’s Party has outlined a three-part defence strategy as it prepares for a possible Supreme Court hearing in the high-profile ethics case involving 44 former MPs of its predecessor, the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP).
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Tuesday voted to seek a Supreme Court ruling in the case, which arose from efforts by the Move Forward Party to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lèse-majesté law.
Among the 44 accused individuals, 10 currently serve as MPs in the 27th House of Representatives for the People’s Party. They are:
- Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut
- Sirikanya Tansakun
- Rangsiman Rome
- Wayo Assawarungruang
- Pakornwut Udompipatskul
- Nattawut Buaprathum
- Surachet Pravinvongvuth
- Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat
- Teerajchai Phunthumas
- Taopiphop Limjittrakorn.
If the court accepts the case from the NACC without any other orders, the MPs will be required to stop performing their duties immediately pending a final ruling.
One day after the Feb 8 election, the independent constitutional agency found the 44 accused guilty, stating that their actions could diminish protections for the monarchy through the legislative process, which could cause serious harm to the nation.
The Constitutional Court in August 2024 dissolved the Move Forward Party on similar grounds.
The proposed amendments contained content contrary to the constitution and amounted to a serious breach of ethical standards under Section 219 of the constitution and Section 28(1) of the Organic Act on Anti‑Corruption, the NACC said in a statement.
A guilty ruling by the court could result in a lifetime ban from standing for election and a temporary loss of voting rights.
The high-profile ethics case stems from a 2021 proposal led by former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat to make amendments to Section 112, including reducing penalties and limiting possible plaintiffs to the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Currently, anyone can file a royal defamation complaint, anywhere, against anyone else, and police are obliged to investigate it. A conviction of lese-majeste carries a sentence of between 3 and 15 years. Most of those convicted are also found guilty of computer crime since the offending material was available online.
Critics argue that in recent years, the majority of lese-majeste complaints have been political in nature, initiated in an attempt to silence or intimidate people opposed to the government.
Former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat helps the People’s Party during the election campaign in January 2026. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
‘Not a surprising decision’
The accused People’s Party deputy leader, Mr Wayo, spoke to reporters late Tuesday, outlining the legal strategy to defend the case.
The first petition the party will submit asks the Supreme Court ourt to issue an alternative order that allows the current MPs to continue performing their duties.
The MPs are divided into at least four groups. For example, Mr Wayo said, one includes opposition leader Natthaphong. “Under a parliamentary democracy, the opposition must have a functioning leader in parliament, so removing this role would damage the democratic system,” he said.
Another involves Ms Sirikanya, who was also a prime ministerial candidate of the party. Mr Wayo pointed out that it remains uncertain if a no-confidence debate could occur once parliament reconvenes “as anything is possible in politics”.
Other groups include constituency MPs representing their districts and party-list MPs representing the entire country. All have prepared petitions, with each having different details, he said.
The second petition asks the court to dismiss the case altogether. As a lawyer, Mr Wayo said this is standard practice in presenting legal arguments, such as by explaining to the court how the NACC’s authority might conflict with the constitution.
The last petition requests that the court order the anti-corruption agency to restart its investigation process. He argued that the NACC violated both legal provisions and its own internal regulations at multiple stages.
Mr Wayo also raised concerns about a commissioner who was allegedly involved in a gold bribery scandal but still led the investigation of the case, adding that he has repeatedly requested disclosure of the commissioner’s involvement but has received no response.
The MP also criticised the agency process that did not allow the accused to present witnesses or documentary evidence.
He added that he was not surprised by the decision, saying that if the NACC choose not to indict, it would be like delivering a final judgement itself.
“And they would have to explain why,” he said. “Deciding not to prosecute requires much courage and moral conviction, as it effectively means declaring us not guilty.”
