Following a court order disbanding Thailand's main progressive political party, the Move Forward Party regrouped under a new name, the People's Party, with a commitment to continue advocating for reforms. The dissolution of the Move Forward Party, which had won the most seats in the 2023 general election, was met with criticism as a blow to the country's progressive movement.
The Constitutional Court ruled that the Move Forward Party violated the constitution by proposing to amend a law criminalizing insults to the royal family. This ruling led to the banning of former party executives, including former chief Pita Limjaroenrat, from politics for 10 years.
Despite the setback, the newly formed People's Party, led by 37-year-old IT expert Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, aims to work towards creating a Thailand where power belongs to the people. The party's goal is to secure enough seats to form a single-party government in the next elections in 2027.
The court's decision drew international concern, with the U.S. State Department and the European Union expressing worries about the impact on democratic processes and political pluralism in Thailand. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights also criticized the ruling for restricting fundamental freedoms of expression and association.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that he expects the Move Forward Party to respect the court's decision and find a way to continue its work. While acknowledging international concerns, he emphasized Thailand's sovereignty in managing its political and democratic developments.
