Showing 1 - 10 of 15
Uncharted territory and a case of déjà vu
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/08/2024
» Another dissolution of another election winner should feel old in Thai politics. But what happened to Move Forward Party is not just déjà vu but uncharted territory. Its dissolution fits a recurrent pattern of systematic subversion of democratic institutions in favour of autocratic preferences in disregard of the will of the majority. The Constitutional Court's breakup of Move Forward also breaks new ground that is increasingly taking centre stage in Thailand's political landscape.
Axeing parties not helpful
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/08/2024
» The Constitutional Court's ruling on Wednesday, ordering the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) -- the winner of last year's general election -- was no surprise.
Move Forward case reveals autocracy
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 07/06/2024
» The Constitutional Court's announcement that it will consider the Move Forward Party's (MFP) written defence in its dissolution case on June 12 appears ominous. After several attempts to make its argument that a campaign pledge to amend the lese majeste law against royal insult is not tantamount to "overthrowing Thailand's democratic regime with the King as head of state", the party's time is up. As the biggest election winner in May 2023, the MFP's dissolution is perceived as a foregone conclusion. Such a revelation might risk Thailand being perceived as an autocratic regime based on legal manoeuvres, and power plays that do not derive from voter preferences.
Court may be wary of giving chop to MFP
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 27/01/2024
» Notwithstanding the Constitutional Court ruling in favour of Pita Limjaroenrat, chief adviser of the Move Forward Party (MFP), in a case involving his iTV share ownership, the progressive party cannot breathe a sigh of relief just yet.
Deja vu as charter court weighs MFP ban
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 12/01/2024
» It is déjà vu in Thai politics this month as Thailand's biggest elected political party and its leader face Constitutional Court verdicts that could lead to a familiar dissolution and ban. At issue is the political future of Pita Limjaroenrat and the fate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which he led to a stunning victory at the election last May. However the verdicts come out, they might be perceived by pundits as decided by the political winds of the day.
Thai charter court deserves scrutiny
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 04/08/2023
» Amid the volatility and confusion during the interim since the May 14 election, Thailand's Constitutional Court has further thickened the plot by accepting a petition to rule on whether a parliamentary vote using the meeting rules to deny the renomination of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat's premiership was unconstitutional.
Thai political legitimacy in question
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 28/07/2023
» The ongoing distortion of election results and systematic subversion of the popular will in Thai politics raise questions of political legitimacy at home and abroad. By all accounts, the combined victory of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai appears unlikely to lead to their formation of a government. While many voters feel shortchanged by the power plays behind the scenes, what is happening to the MFP should behove the international community to draw a red line across which the eventual government outcome cannot be deemed democratically legitimate and credible in reflection of voter preferences.
Party bans no solution
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/04/2023
» Now the election is drawing near, concerns are arising over certain political tactics that may derail the government formation process, particularly if conservative factions cannot win a majority.
EC as arbiter of justice
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/02/2023
» With two long-awaited organic laws governing the election of MPs and political parties coming into effect, politicians are geared up for the next general election that is set to take place on May 7 -- if parliament runs its course.
Thaksin's homecoming is a price too high to pay
Oped, Prasarn Marukpitak, Published on 15/10/2022
» The next general election is now firmly on the horizon, with the Election Commission (EC) having tentatively set the date last month as being May next year.