By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT today (June 18) postponed the handling of a highly contentious case of the Move Forward’s alleged acts to undermine rule of the country until early next month.
The Constitutional Court put off the rule-undermining lawsuit filed by the Election Commission against the Move Forward until July 3.
In the meantime, the plaintiff and defendant were ordered by court to file respective affidavits pertaining to the questionable case within seven days from today after the Move Forward had openly pushed for amendment to the lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, during last year’s electoral campaigns.
The Move Forward has categorically denied the rule-undermining charges saying the reported moves for amendment to the lese majeste law were primarily designed to protect the monarchy from being abused by one’s political opponents and to promote relationships between the people and the country’s highly-revered monarch and Royal Household.
The Constitutional Court has earlier ruled that such moves on the part of the Move Forward were tantamount to “abrasive” acts which could possibly terminally lead to the undermining of rule, thus ordering the reformist camp to stop doing so.
Former Move Forward leader/current Move Forward MP Pita Limjaroenrat has earlier contended that the Election Commission’s lawsuit had been procedurally invalid since the polling agency had definitely failed to summon any partisan defendants for testimony over the highly contentious case in the first place.
However, if finally found guilty as charged, the Move Forward might possibly be dissolved by court and those who performed as the party’s executive board members at the times of the accused acts could possibly be deprived of their MP status, if any, and prohibited from assuming political positions at all levels for 10 years.
Outstanding figures who could possibly be adversely affected include current Move Forward leader/MP Chaithawat Tulathon, former Move Forward MP/current Deputy House Speaker/Fair MP Padipat Santipada and Pita.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Photos: Thai Rath
Also read: Move Forward MPs tempted to defect in face of possible party dissolution
Move Forward won’t join Pheu Thai-led govt: Chaithawat
Move Forward tops latest opinion poll with majority backing Pita for PM
Thaksin freed on bail in lese majeste lawsuit which could linger for years
Thaksin may be immediately put in jail if denied release on bail
PM infected with Covid-19, returning to work on Wednesday
Analysis: Of a slap-and-kiss relationship
Thammanat shrugs off strained ties between Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath
Srettha shrugs off Thaksin’s criticism of Prawit
