Ten People’s Party (PP) MPs vowed on Friday to fight a Supreme Court case to the fullest extent over allegations tied to a proposed amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.
The MPs insisted their actions posed no threat to the country’s democratic system and warned against the use of “lawfare” to consolidate power.
They made the comments at a press conference after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions agreed to accept a petition filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
The court allowed the 10 sitting MPs to continue their duties so long as they refrain from actions or public comments related to the acts cited in the petition.
The first hearing in the case has been scheculed for June 30.
“The court has accepted the petition, but in compliance with its order we reaffirm that our endorsement of the legislative proposal was not intended to undermine the democratic system with the King as Head of State,” People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told reporters.
He added that the case’s implications reach beyond individual political futures to the future of Thai democracy, calling for checks and balances applied equally to all and warning against using legal processes to protect vested interests.
Mr Natthaphong warned that “lawfare” is being used to preserve a political order inherited from past coups that consolidated authority and benefits for elites. (Story continues below)
People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut speaks during a briefing after the Supreme Court accepted a petition against 44 former Move Forward Party MPs over their proposed amendment to the lese-majeste law on Friday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
The petition filed by the NACC accuses 44 former Move Forward Party MPs of serious ethical violations for jointly proposing an amendment to Section 112 on March 25, 2021.
The proposed changes sought to reduce penalties for lese-majeste and designate the Bureau of the Royal Household as the sole complainant. Currently, anyone can file a lese-majeste complaint against anyone else and police are obligated to investigate. Critics have noted that most of the complaints filed have been against young pro-democracy activists and critics of the established political order.
Although the bill drafted by Move Forward was never tabled in Parliament, the signatures on the proposal later became evidence in legal proceedings.
The Constitutional Court in August 2024 dissolved the Move Forward Party, saying proposals to change the law could jeopardise the constitutional monarchy and national security, and banned its executives for 10 years.
Of the 44 MPs named, 10 now serve with its successor, the People’s Party party: Mr Natthaphong, Sirikanya Tansakun, Rangsiman Rome, Wayo Assawarungruang, Pakornwut Udompipatskul, Nattawut Buaprathum, Surachet Pravinvongvuth, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat (list MPs) and Bangkok constituency MPs Teerajchai Phunthumas and Taopiphop Limjittrakorn.
The Supreme Court convened at 10.30am on Friday to examine the petition from the NACC. NACC officials arrived at about 9.15am but declined to give interviews and proceeded directly inside. The court later ruled to accept the petition for consideration but did not order the 10 sitting PP MPs to be suspended from their parliamentary duties.
The People’s Party dispatched a legal team led by lawyer Nithi La-iaddee to hear the court’s decision. No party executives or current or former MPs named in the case were present at the hearing, as the party was holding its annual general meeting at the Maple Hotel in Bang Na district.
Outside the Supreme Court the atmosphere was subdued. No party supporters gathered. Officials did not set up the barricaded media zones seen in previous high-profile cases, and Metropolitan Police Bureau officers were deployed to maintain order.
Mr Natthaphong said that he and his colleagues would contest the case at the Supreme Court to uphold representative legitimacy under Thailand’s parliamentary system and continue working with the public toward a political transition that genuinely serves the people.
Supporters hold placards bearing images of People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and deputy leaders Sirikanya Tansakun and Veerayooth Kanchoochat, to show encouragement during a party press conference at the Maple Hotel in Bang Na district of Bangkok on Friday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
