Thread: Move Forward the Opposition

• Move Forward MPs ask how 200,000+ litres of high-speed fuel disappeared from Army unit in Saraburi

The Thai Army said it is investigating the puzzling disappearance of more than 200,000 litres of fuel and its link to a military unit in Saraburi province.

Deputy Army spokesperson Maj-General Sirichan Ngathong said on Sunday that the issue surfaced last year when officials were sent to study fuel distribution among Army units nationwide.

During the audit, irregularities were found in the fuel distribution process at the Ordnance Material Rebuild Centre in Saraburi and subsequently reported to the top brass.

In response, the Army initiated a comprehensive study in June this year by setting up a dedicated committee.

The committee is investigating the issue and its final conclusions are pending, Sirichan said, adding that anybody found involved in the disappearance will face disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, the matter has not gone unnoticed in the public sphere.

Move Forward MP Wirote Lakkanadisorn tweeted on Sunday that recent reports say a staggering 215,897 litres of B7 high-speed diesel suspiciously disappeared from the ordnance unit at the 18th Army Division in Saraburi last year. He said it was unlikely that leaks or evaporation could account for such substantial loss and demanded answers.

Jirath Thongsuwan, another Move Forward MP, also pointed out that the Defence Ministry had achieved a score of 94.91 in the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s much-vaunted Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) 2021.

• New Move Forward leader outlines strategies for more change in Thai society

The Move Forward party will press for more change in Thai society, expand its political base across the country and transform the party into a political institution of the people, newly-elected party leader Chaithawat Tulathon told supporters at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s youth centre (formerly Thai-Japanese youth centre) in Din Daeng on Sunday.

Speaking at a political event entitled “Next Step, Move Forward Throughout the Land”, Chaithawat said that, although the Move Forward party has a new leader, Pita Limjaroenrat remains the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

He said that many party members are disappointed while others have lost hope, because the party could not form a government, even though it won the most seats in parliament.

“Today, we leave our tears and sadness behind. No more regret,” said Chaithawat, as he urged party members to work with the party to bring about more change.

He outlined the party’s four strategies, one of which is to expand its political base to include the whole country. “We will maintain our old turf and to create new ones,” he said, as he urged party members to try harder to win elections in constituencies currently controlled by the other parties.

Another strategy is to turn the Move Forward party into a people’s political institute and the third is to perform its duty as the opposition the best it can, to vigorously check the performance of the government in a straightforward manner “without fear and with substance.”

The final strategy, said the party leader, is to push for the writing of a new Constitution by a people’s assembly, as he called for a referendum so the people can decide whether they want a new charter.

• Former Move Forward party leader told not to interfere with government in helping Thais in Israel

A former United Thai Nation (UTN) electoral candidate has asked former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to stop interfering with the government in the effort to help Thais in Israel, pointing out that it is none of his business.

In his Facebook post yesterday (Sunday), in response to Pita’s offer of assistance, Shinapat Kitlertsiriwattana, former UTN candidate for Chiang Mai’s Constituency 1, said that Pita’s claim that he called the Israeli ambassador to Thailand on Saturday night, expressing his condolences for the Israeli people and offering his support for the Israeli government to ease the conflict for the safety of Thai people in Israel, will only cause confusion among the Thai people there and will not help improve the situation “because you are neither the prime minister (of Thailand) nor a party leader nor an MP and should let the government do their job.”

“It is none of your business. This is not the time for fame seeking,” said Shinapat, as he advised Pita to carry on with selling dreams to the young people “until they wake up”.

In his post on X on Saturday night, Pita said that, after having talked with the Israeli ambassador to Thailand, he instructed Suthep, a former House labour affairs committee member of the Move Forward party, to coordinate with Thais in Israeli.

He also gave his email address to families of Thai workers who cannot contact their loved ones in Israel, so he could contact the Israeli embassy or the Thai Foreign Ministry to get help.

I for one am interested in keeping up with the machinations of the most popular thai party and thank Landreth for bringing this information to TD in this thread

I have no comments to add , but I read it with interest

• Move Forward MP being investigated over alleged sexual harassment

The opposition Move Forward party has admitted that it has been investigating an allegation, made by a female volunteer, of sexual harassment against one of its MPs.

The allegation appeared recently on social media, featuring an online chat between the MP in question and a female volunteer, in which the MP mentioned a sex toy and allegedly made a sexual gesture.

Nattawut Buaprathum, a party-list MP and chair of the Move Forward party’s disciplinary and ethical committee, told the media today (Wednesday) that the party had received a complaint of harassment in August and has already set up a panel to investigate, adding the probe is still under way.

He said that evidence received by the committee is, however, not sufficient to prove that the MP is in the wrong.

Meanwhile, deputy House speaker Padipat Suntiphada, a former Move Forward MP, said that the House cannot investigate the allegation because it does not yet have an ethical committee and the opposition leader’s post is vacant.

He noted, however, that both the accuser and the accused must be treated fairly and should be given a chance to present their evidence.

He also said that the matter has not been discussed with the Move Forward party, because a complaint has not yet been filled with the House of Representatives by the accuser.

• Move Forward expels failed MP candidate over sexual violence

The Move Forward Party on Thursday expelled a member and punished a Bangkok MP with penalty “one step short of expulsion” after its disciplinary panel found grounds to believe sexual violence accusations against them.

The penalties against the two members were announced by party spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu and Sasinan Thamnithinan, a Bangkok MP and a member of the party’s disciplinary panel.

The spokesman said there were four sexual violence accusations against four members of the party – three MPs and a failed MP candidate. The party had wrapped up its investigation against two of them and meted out penalties while investigations were still going on in two other cases.

Parit announced that the party had resolved to expel Kriangkrai Jankokphueng, a failed MP candidate from Chaiyaphum province, immediately after the disciplinary panel found that the sexual violence accusations against him were convincing.

Parit did not elaborate but party sources said the disciplinary panel had learned that Kriangkrai had allegedly raped a spokeswoman of a political party on June 27.

The party learned that Kriangkrai had posted an apology to the woman on his X (formerly Twitter) account before he closed all his social media accounts.

Parit said the party also resolved to deprive Sirin Sanguansin, a Bangkok MP, of all the rights in the party, banning him from being appointed to any party post or the post of House chairman of the Move Forward’s quota.

Move Forward expels failed MP candidate over sexual violenceParit said the penalty was one step short of an expulsion and if the MP committed similar offences, he would be expelled from the party immediately.

Parit said the disciplinary panel had found that Sirin had engaged in a public brawl and committed violence as reported by the media. Parit did not elaborate.

It was earlier reported that a woman, who had been in a relationship with Sirin for a month, had filed a complaint against Sirin at the Borwin Police Station in Chonburi province.

She accused Sirin of punching her in the face and pulling her hair and throwing her mobile phone on the road while they were travelling together in a car on June 23 in Tambon Borwin of Chonburi’s Si Racha district.

After Sirin reportedly apologised to her, the woman withdrew her complaint with police.

Parit said the party’s disciplinary panel was also conducting investigations against Prachinburi MP Wutthipong Thonglar and an unnamed MP.

Parit said the party mentioned Wutthipong’s name because it had been widely reported in the media, while the other MP’s name was withheld because it had not been made public.

Parit said the disciplinary panel had started the probe in Wutthipong’s case in August by inviting all sides concerned to testify throughout September.

The panel was checking more evidence and would make a conclusion within this month.

In the case of the unnamed MP, Parit said the party had not received complaints but the party had contacted the affected woman to testify. The woman was preparing information before she would come to talk to the panel, Parit added.

The spokesman said Move Forward would soon restructure its disciplinary panel to have more specialists from outside to help the party conduct probe into sexual violence cases.

The party would also hold meetings to instruct its members and MPs to respect the rights of the other sex and to refrain from touching their body, Parit added.

• Council of State denies interpreting Currency Act or digital wallet scheme

The Council of State denied on Sunday that as the government’s advisory board, it had interpreted the 2018 Currency Act or the government's controversial digital wallet scheme.

Noppadol Pheririrk, spokesman of the council, said some newspaper reports in which Move Forward Party was quoted as saying that the Council of State had used the Currency Act to interpret the digital wallet scheme were untrue.

Some papers quoted Move Forward as saying the scheme to hand out 10,000 baht via a digital wallet would be cancelled as the Council of State believes the scheme would violate the Currency Act.

Noppadol said the council had last interpreted the Currency Act in 2007 and not done it since, especially regarding the current government’s economic stimulus scheme.

• Move Forward grapples with sexual harassment scandal, may expel 2 MPs

After conducting an extensive investigation, the Move Forward Party has confirmed that two of its MPs were implicated in cases of sexual harassment and will consequently be expelled.

Bencha Saengchantra, who leads the party’s special working team dedicated to addressing issues of sexual violence, announced on Tuesday that Prachinburi MP Wuttiphong Thonglour and Bangkok MP Sirin Sanguansin had both been found guilty of sexual assault.

Bencha, who is also party-list MP, said party executives will make a final decision at 5pm on Wednesday. The most severe punishment they can face is expulsion from the party and forfeiture of all their privileges.

She emphasised that Move Forward prioritises its core principle of non-violence and gender equality and is not concerned about its number of seats in Parliament dropping.

The progressive party currently holds 151 seats in the House of Representatives, after it expelled one MP for refusing to give up the post of deputy speaker.

Bencha also said that Move Forward does not tolerate a culture of concealing misconduct among its members. The party has a clear set of criteria for determining punishment in such cases, she clarified.

Before arriving at a final decision on the case, she said the party will exercise caution to safeguard the interest of the victims.

“We will try not to let such an incident take place again,” she said.

On Monday, Wuttiphong, one of the accused MPs, took to social media to say: “Today, I’m no different from dead people who are still breathing”, adding that he was being unfairly condemned without being given the opportunity to defend himself.

The main opposition party has recently been under fire over allegations of sexual assault and acts of violence. This has come to the forefront as at least four of its members have been accused of misconduct.

Meanwhile, a group of people had gathered at Move Forward’s headquarters on Tuesday to demand stricter measures to combat sexual misconduct within the party and demanded accountability and justice.

• Move Forward MP Wuttiphong expelled from party

Following a meeting on Wednesday that lasted six hours, the executive board of Move Forward Party voted to expel Prachin Buri MP Wuttiphong Thonglour after an internal probe found him guilty of sexual harassment.

The party’s executive board met on Wednesday to discuss punishments for two male MPs accused of similar offences.

The other, Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit, an MP for Bangkok’s Chom Thong-Bang Khun Thian constituency, was also found guilty of sexual harassment but was spared dismissal after a vote.

Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon revealed that the meeting voted to expel the two MPs, which requires three-quarters of members’ votes, in this case 116, as per the current constitution’s stipulation on voting to expel a member from a political party.

The move to expel Wuttiphong received 120 votes from a possible 128, while Chaiyamphawan’s dismissal received 106, which is below the 116 threshold.

As a result, Chaiyamphawan can remain in the party albeit on probation, but all of his rights in the party will be cancelled.

The board also agreed that Chaiyamphawan must admit to his wrongdoing, as well as apologise to and compensate the victim.

If Chaiyamphawan refuses to do the above, the board will meet again to further discuss his punishment, Chaithawat said.

On October 12, Move Forward expelled one member and punished a Bangkok MP with a penalty “one step short of expulsion” after its disciplinary panel found grounds to believe sexual violence accusations against them.

Kriangkrai Jankokphueng, a failed MP candidate from Chaiyaphum province, was expelled immediately, while Sirin Sanguansin, a Bangkok MP, was stripped of all rights in the party, banning him from being appointed to any party post.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

• New Move Forward leader outlines strategies for more change in Thai society

The Move Forward party will press for more change in Thai society, expand its political base across the country and transform the party into a political institution of the people, newly-elected party leader Chaithawat Tulathon told supporters at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s youth centre (formerly Thai-Japanese youth centre) in Din Daeng on Sunday.

Speaking at a political event entitled “Next Step, Move Forward Throughout the Land”, Chaithawat said that, although the Move Forward party has a new leader, Pita Limjaroenrat remains the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

He said that many party members are disappointed while others have lost hope, because the party could not form a government, even though it won the most seats in parliament.

“Today, we leave our tears and sadness behind. No more regret,” said Chaithawat, as he urged party members to work with the party to bring about more change.

He outlined the party’s four strategies, one of which is to expand its political base to include the whole country. “We will maintain our old turf and to create new ones,” he said, as he urged party members to try harder to win elections in constituencies currently controlled by the other parties.

Another strategy is to turn the Move Forward party into a people’s political institute and the third is to perform its duty as the opposition the best it can, to vigorously check the performance of the government in a straightforward manner “without fear and with substance.”

The final strategy, said the party leader, is to push for the writing of a new Constitution by a people’s assembly, as he called for a referendum so the people can decide whether they want a new charter.

One would think success would probably bring along coup number 35 or whatever number they are up to by now.

• MP accused of misconduct insulted complainants’ says MFP leader

Chaithawat Tulathon, the leader of the Move Forward Party, is speaking out against the statement of a party MP accused of sexual misconduct.

Chaiyamphawan Munpianjitt’s statement indicates a lack of remorse and further adds insult to the complainants, wrote Chaithawatin a message posted on Facebook.

He is preparing to call for a meeting of the party’s executive committee to consider whether this action is in conflict with the party’s resolutions.

MP accused of misconduct insulted complainants’ says MFP leader

Chaiyamphawan statement came after the party passed a resolution on the investigation of allegations of sexual harassment that did not expel him from the party but put his membership on probation with a vote of 106 in favour.

Chaiyamphawan stated that he accepts the party’s resolution and that he apologizes.

But after listening to Chaiyamphawan's statement, Chaithawat posted that upon careful consideration of the key points in his statement, it becomes evident that Chaiyamphawan does not acknowledge or admit that his behaviour qualifies as sexual harassment, at least to a certain extent, and that he does not genuinely apologise to the victims.

Chaithawat also states that the party’s executive committee is aware of all the facts and disputes, and they see that any sexual misconduct that occurred while the victims were intoxicated, may not be in a state where consent or non-consent can be definitively given.

MP accused of misconduct insulted complainants’ says MFP leader

While the relationship between Chaiyamphawan and the victims before and after the sexual misconduct incident may seem normal or positive, one of the victims has never consented to engage in sexual relations with him again. Having a good relationship does not imply that a man can engage in sexual relations with the female at will, Chaithawat notes.

MP accused of misconduct insulted complainants’ says MFP leader

The party’s executive committee has considered the actions and facts involving all three complainants, which exhibit a pattern of continuity and similarity. Therefore, they concluded that Chaiyamphawan engaged in sexual harassment towards all three complainants and committed sexual misconduct against one of the complainants.

The leader also noted that the fact that all three victims were volunteers or assistants working for Chaiyamphawan has also seriously harmed the volunteer system within the party, making it an unsafe environment for party volunteers or team members, who should be protected from any form of sexual harassment or misconduct.

Therefore, on Saturday, in his capacity as the leader of the Move Forward Party, he will convene a meeting of the party's executive committee to consider whether Chaiyamphawan’s actions align with the resolution of the party's executive committee.

If the party’s executive committee determines that Chaiyamphawan’s actions went against the resolution of the party’s executive committee, it would lead to a disciplinary process for violating the resolution, which is a severe disciplinary offence.

If Chaiyamphawan was found guilty, it would lead to a joint meeting between the party’s executive committee and the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) to decide whether Chaiyamphawan should be removed from the Move Forward Party.

Move Forward executive to press for expulsion of Bangkok MP for sexual harassment

• Move Forward to hold another vote on Monday for expelling Bangkok MP

The Move Forward Party’s executive board resolved on Sunday to reinitiate a process for expelling its “disgraced” Bangkok MP on Monday, the party announced.

The party announced after a board meeting at 1pm that in the opinion of the board, Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit had failed to comply with the party’s resolution issued last week related to alleged sexual harassment allegations against him.

The party announced that it would hold a meeting of party executives and MPs to conduct another vote for expelling him in line with the constitutional requirements.

The charter requires at least three-fourth votes of MPs and party executives to expel an MP from the party.

Chaiyamparwaan and Prachinburi MP Wuttiphong Thonglour faced a probe by the party’s disciplinary and ethics committee into accusations of alleged sexual misconduct. The committee concluded there were grounds to believe the allegations against them.

However, Chaiyamparwaan was spared as fewer than three-fourths of MPs and executives present during the meeting voted for his expulsion during a vote on Wednesday (November 1). The meeting was attended by 128 executives and MPs and only 106 of them voted against Chaiyamparwaan, fewer than the required 116 votes under the constitution for expulsion. Wuttiphong was expelled with 120 votes.

Move Forward announced on Sunday that although Chaiyamparwaan was spared, he had been ordered by the party’s resolution to admit his guilt and issue public apologies to his three alleged victims, as well as provide remedies to the victims. The party has set a deadline for Chaiyamparwaan to complete these measures by Saturday (November 4).

But the board found that when Chaiyamparwaan held a press conference on Friday (November 3), he did not show any remorse and refused to accept that he had sexually harassed the three alleged victims and failed to sincerely apologise to them.

Worse still, the party said, Chaiyamparwaan had caused more damage to the alleged victims by exposing their information to the public.

“As a result, the party’s executive board resolved to ask the disciplinary and ethics committee to initiate a process to slap the highest disciplinary penalty with expulsion against Chaiyamparwaan,” the statement from the party added.

• Sacked Move Forward MP claims he is a victim of internal party politics

Move Forward MP for Prachin Buri, Wuttiphong Thonglour, claimed today that he was a victim of internal politics, after he had tried to expose alleged corruption by an assistant to an executive committee member.

Speaking to the media, in his second press conference since being expelled from the party after he was found to have committed an act of sexual harassment by the Move Forward party’s disciplinary committee, the embattled Prachin Buri MP tried to defend himself, claiming he was framed to distract attention from his attempt to expose corruption in a landfill project in Prachin Buri.

He claimed that he had lodged a complaint with the party,calling for a probe into the conduct of an unnamed executive committee member, about four months ago, but his complaint has been ignored.

Meanwhile, an MP for Bangkok’s Chom Thong district, Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, was also found to have committed an act of sexual harassment, but the executive committee and MPs agreed by a majority to keep him in the party, providing that he offers an apology to the public and to his victims and compensates the victims appropriately.

The party’s executive committee is expected to meet this week to consider his expulsion, on the grounds that his apology was insincere and, instead, he blamed his victims for the charges against him.

__________

• Explainer: Why Move Forward failed to expel an MP accused of sexual misconduct

The opposition Move Forward Party has come under harsh criticism from both its members and the public for not expelling its Bangkok MP despite accusations of sexual misconduct.

Last week, the party called a meeting of its executives and MPs to decide the fate of two MPs accused of sexual misconduct.

Despite facing at least three claims of sexual harassment, Move Forward’s Bangkok MP, Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, escaped expulsion. However, Wuttiphong Thonglour, the other, MP from Prachinburi was banished from the party.

The disparity in punishment led to criticism from several people, both inside and outside the party. The majority of these people were female party members who thought the decision was “shameful”.

Why Move Forward could not expel its MP

Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon said that a committee inquiring into the allegations against the two MPs had found the accusations credible, prompting the party to call a special meeting to decide on expelling them.

The move to expel Wuttiphong received 120 out of 128 votes cast by meeting attendees, while 106 members voted against Chaiyamphawan.

The party’s constitution, however, stipulates that a political party may remove a member only if three-quarters of its members vote in favour of the resolution — 116 in this case.

The results of the vote meant Wuttiphong was banished, while Chaiyamphawan was allowed to stay in the party, although he was put on probation.

The Bangkok MP was required to admit to his wrongdoing, as well as apologise to and compensate the victim, failing which the party would review its decision.

Several figures conveyed their dissatisfaction with the move. For instance another Bangkok MP, Rukchanok Srinork, said that she would not participate in the party’s activities until Chaiyamphawan “sincerely” admitted to his wrongdoing and offered an apology to the victims.

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a party mentor, said the actions against the two MPs, especially the one who was spared expulsion, were too light. He urged Chaiyamphawan to step down as an MP, as a way to show accountability.

Numerous political analysts are raising doubts about Chaiyamphawan's potential intimate relationship with the 22 people who voted against his expulsion. Move Forward refused to reveal the names of those members.

Chaiyamphawan has refuted all claims, saying he has no plans to resign, and will instead fight the accusations against him.

He said he was determined to prove his innocence through the evidence in his possession, like conversations in the LINE messaging app between him and the complainants. He reiterated that he never had any intention of committing sexual wrongdoing.

• Move Forward party sacks Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan

The Move Forward party decided today to expel Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan from the party after he was found, by the party’s disciplinary committee, to have committed an act of sexual harassment against three party volunteers.

Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon said the party’s executive committee and MPs met today in Rayong province to consider whether Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit should be sacked, after he failed to comply with the party’s requirement that he offer an apology to the public and an apology and compensation to the victims.

He said the meeting agreed unanimously that the MP had not been sincere in his apology last week and, instead, disclosed information about his relationship with one of the victims, in defiance of the resolution of the executive committee.

All 128 participants at the meeting voted for Chaiyamparwaan’s expulsion with immediate effect.

The meeting assigned two MPs, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat and Rukchanok Srinork, to look after the Chom Thong constituency in the absence of Chaiyamparwaan.

The party also appointed an MP to look after Constituency 1 in Prachin Buri, after last week’s expulsion of Wuttiphong Thonglour, also found to have committed sexual harassment.

Both sacked MPs will have to register with new parties within 30 days of their expulsion to retain their parliamentary statuses.

Move Forward expels MP for revealing identity of abuse victims

• Thwarted Thai PM candidate Pita vows to run again

Thwarted Thai election winner Pita Limjaroenrat vowed Thursday to run for prime minister again, defying conservative forces that blocked him from the job earlier in the year and despite a looming court case.

The 43-year-old led his Move Forward Party (MFP) to a shock first-place finish in May’s general election, buoyed by young and urban Thais weary of a near-decade of military rule — only to be prevented from becoming premier by royalist and pro-military blocs opposed to his reformist agenda.

MFP’s former allies Pheu Thai then formed a coalition government with army-linked parties, leaving the progressive challengers back on the opposition bench — and Pita perhaps in the political wilderness.

He also faces a legal challenge thrown at him in the wake of the election, which could see him banned from running for years.

But in an interview with AFP, he vowed to take another tilt at the premiership. “Of course. I’m not giving up, and it’s just a matter of time,” he said when asked if he planned to run again. But there are a number of roadblocks in his way — not least his current suspension as an MP.

MFP won the most seats in the May 14 poll, but fell short of an outright majority and joined forces with Pheu Thai.

But a prime minister candidate needs a majority across both houses of parliament, and Pita could not muster enough votes to overcome opposition in the junta-appointed Senate.

He lost a first vote, then was blocked from running in a second ballot for the premiership and suspended as an MP by the Constitutional Court over his ownership of media shares, prohibited for lawmakers under Thai law.

Pita denies any wrongdoing and said he was “very confident” about the case, which could see him banned from politics for years. “I found out that it could be intentional,” he said of the media share case.

“It was the old guard, someone who found a loophole that they can use constitutional hardball.”

The father-of-one was a hugely popular figure during the campaign trail, drawing huge crowds and ecstatic supporters.

Educated in Thailand and the United States, where he studied at Harvard, the former Grab executive was drawn into politics in 2018 when he joined MFP predecessor Future Forward.

• EC probe sought into deputy speaker's ouster from Move Forward party

A former Bhumjaithai MP has asked the Election Commission (EC) to look into what he called the “questionable expulsion” of Padipat Suntiphada from the Move Forward party.

Supachai Jaismut revealed that he is ultimately seeking the dissolution of the party.He said he wonders whether the party’s expulsion of Padipat, currently first deputy House speaker, was done in full accordance with the party’s regulations.

“The statement of the Move Forward only mentioned that Padipat must leave the party, giving no details of any serious breaches of disciplinaries (to justify the expulsion),” Supachai said. The statement gave no details of the party’s investigative procedures or evidence gathered that led to the decision to expel him.

Under the party’s charter, a member can be expelled if three-quarters of all MPs and executive committee members vote in favour of such.

Supachai said neither he nor the public have seen anything about the vote and the resolution. Moreover, this would mean that Padipat’s membership of Parliament has already ended.

The procedure used by Move Forward to expel Padipat may not have been legitimate, meaning that Padipat is still the party’s MP and cannot apply to be an MP of another party, Supachai said. Padipat officially accepted an invitation to join the Fair party last month.

Move Forward’s expulsion of Padipat was viewed as a political game, played by the party so that it could claim the vacant leader of the opposition post and keep Padipat as deputy house speaker, but under the banner of another party.

Taking all this into consideration, Supachai claims that it is clear that Move Forward and Padipat conspired and are a threat to democratic rule that has the King as head of state.

“I would like an EC decision to forward the case to the Constitutional Court, seeking the dissolution of the Move Forward party,” he said.

• Move Forward leader believes govt trying to bail out of handout scheme

A deputy leader of the opposition Move Forward Party believes the government may be trying to get its controversial digital handout scheme aborted through a court ruling.

Sirikanya Tansakul, deputy leader of Move Forward, believes that the government is considering the "Loan Act" path for funding to invite a ruling from the Constitutional Court that would block the implementation of the controversial policy.

Sirikanya was speaking after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s statement on Friday on the 10,000 baht digital wallet policy.

She said it was still not clear from where the government would find the budget to implement the scheme that promised every Thai aged 16 and above 10,000 baht through a digital wallet for spending.
She said that although Srettha had amended the eligibility by excluding people with a monthly income of 70,000 baht or savings in their bank accounts exceeding 500,000 baht, there was still a risk that the scheme may not take off at all.

She explained her theory to the most challenging path chosen by the PM to enact a royal decree for borrowing 500 billion baht to fund the project, making it difficult to ascertain the funding source.

She said the issuance of a loan decree could be found to violate the Constitution and the Financial Discipline Act, as such a borrowing could be authorised only in cases of urgent necessity.

As of today, there was no urgent necessity, she said.

She believes the current circumstances were similar to the loan decree of 2 trillion baht proposed by the former Pheu Thai government of Yingluck Shinawatra, which was challenged before the Constitutional Court.

She observed that the government's choice of this path to secure funding seemed to hint at a reluctance to see the success of this project.

Move Forward party warns against loans to fund digital wallet scheme

• Court ruling could spell the extinction of Move Forward Party members

Most Move Forward Party (MFP) members and MPs could be banned from politics if the Constitutional Court rules that the party’s election campaign constituted an attempt to overthrow the monarchy, MFP deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun said on Monday.

Sirikanya voiced her concerns during a press event at MFP headquarters, noting that the court would soon convene to deliberate two cases filed against the party which won most MP seats in the May 14 general election.

The first case relates to former party leader and party-listed MP Pita Limjaroenrat’s holding of shares in ITV Plc, a media company, allegedly in violation of the election laws.

The second case alleges MFP’s election campaign to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese-majeste law, was an attempt to overthrow the democratic system of government with the King as head of state.

“I’m crossing my fingers for the court verdict, especially in the second case, which could result in most party members being banned for endorsing the campaign policy,” said Sirikanya.

“I hope the party survives this legal battle, which is just one of the many we have experienced and also hope they will end with this government,” she added. “I respect the democratic process to revoke or cancel something, but no independent entity should take part in deliberating on an election campaign.”

She noted that she and several party members have signed the document endorsing the move to amend Article 112, and as a result they could all be banned from politics and dismissed from political positions.

The repercussions could mean the extinction of Move Forward MPs, she said.

• Move Forward leader hopes court will hear new testimonies, delay ruling against party

Move Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon reckons the Constitutional may not rule on both cases against the party on Wednesday and may even extend the hearing process.

Chaithawat said on Tuesday that he believes the court has simply scheduled a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the framework for deliberation on the cases.

He said the court had scheduled the meeting after his party submitted its written defence and a list of specialist witnesses to testify.

The first case relates to former party leader and party-list MP Pita Limjaroenrat’s holding of shares in ITV Plc, a now-defunct media company, which is allegedly in violation of election laws.

The second case alleges that the party’s election promise to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code or the lese-majeste law, was an attempt to overthrow the King as head of state.

However, Chaithawat conceded that it would be up to the judges to decide whether or not it will hear testimonies from the party’s witnesses.

“We hope the Constitutional Court will deliberate on the cases by taking into account comprehensive information,” he said.

“We are still confident that we can fight the allegations with facts and legal technicalities.”

He added that the party does not have a contingency plan in case the court orders the party to be dissolved.

“We have just prepared witnesses to testify to the court for now,” Chaithawat added.

• Charter court to meet again next Wednesday to consider Pita's shareholding case

The Constitutional Court announced today that it will continue deliberating on a petition filed against former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, in the ITV’s shareholding case, next Wednesday, which is the regular day for its weekly meeting.

In its statement issued after its today’s meeting, the court said it will also consider another petition regarding the Move Forward Party and Pita and their policy to amend the lèse majesté law. It

Many had speculated that the Court would deliver its rulings on both petitions today.

On July 19, the Court accepted the Election Commission’s petition to rule on the parliamentary status of Pita, as he was accused of holding 42,000 shares in iTV, a media company, at the time he registered his electoral candidacy, in violation of Sections 82, 101(6) and 98(3) of the Constitution.

A few days later, the Court accepted a petition, filed by lawyer Theerayut Suwankesorn, who believes that Pita and his party’s policy to amend the lèse majesté law violates Article 49 of the Constitution, which prohibits the public from exercising its rights and liberties to overthrow the country’s constitutional monarchy.

Pita called for such amendments throughout his general election campaign and continues to do so, claimed Theerayut.

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• Pita urges pragmatic cooperation with other nations

While Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spends time overseas, to develop relationships with other countries, Pita Limjaroenrat, a key figure in and former leader of the Move Forward party, emphasises that regaining Thailand’s influence on the regional and international stages requires more than just attending summits, pointing out the need for genuine and meaningful mutual benefits.

In an exclusive interview with Thai PBS World, Pita said that international travel and meetings are advantageous, but they must be backed by strategic action and a pragmatic approach to seeking cooperation with other nations.

“International trips are good, but the ability to follow up and develop mutual benefits of significance are important. The key word in your question is influence. Influence is the ability to get someone to do what you want, whether through cooperation or coercion. In order to cooperate with some countries in foreign policy, you must have legitimacy. Foreign policy is a reflection of domestic policy. If you want to be part of an international rights community, you have to clean your own house before you join,” Pita said.

Turning to domestic policy, Pita argued that Prime Minister Srettha’s policies to drive the economy, particularly the digital wallet scheme, distributing ten thousand baht to fifty million Thai citizens and funded by a five hundred billion baht loan, is an old fashioned approach. The chief advisor advocated that the money be used for investments in education and public health, to address fundamental societal needs.

“If we talk about economic stimulation through “helicopter” money, a term first used in 1969 by economist Milton Friedman, it is a very old concept, to borrow future money and helicopter drop money to the people. This amount of money, where does it come from? That same amount of money could alternatively help children who are out of educational system. It could be used to reduce the inequality in public health or could it be used to help the elderly?” Pita said.

Much more to the article in the link above

• Three activists sentenced to nine months in jail

Three activists have been sentenced to nine months in prison by the Criminal Court, after being found guilty of illegally organising a protest in Bangkok in February 2021, when the city was under the state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Panupong Jadnok and Atthaphon Busphat were indicted for organising a protest in front of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, at the Pathumwan intersection, on February 10, 2021.

They were also accused of leading a march to the Pathumwan police station, disrupting traffic flow and laying siege to demand the release of their colleagues.

Drinking water bottles and firecrackers were hurled and some cars parked in the compound of the police station were spray-painted during the protest, which descended into a scuffle, resulting in seven police officers being slightly injured, according to the charge sheet.

The court also fined each of the three activists Bt525.

Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer with Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said the three activists were granted bail after conviction.

• Former Move Forward leader Pita booed during soccer match at National Stadium

Former leader of Move Forward party, Pita Limjaroenrat, was booed by students and alumni of the Bangkok Christian College at the Jaturamit soccer tournament final, between Bangkok Christian College and Suan Kularb College, at the National Stadium late Saturday afternoon.

As a former student of the Bangkok Christian College, Pita, wearing the purple T-shirt of the school, joined many other alumni in cheering for the team of his alma mater. Other celebrities and politicians, who are also alumni of the two finalists and two other schools, Assumption and Thepsirin, were also present after a four-year suspension of the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During half-time, an aging alumnae stood up from his seat in the stands and pointed in the direction of Pita and booed. Several others in the stand followed suit.

Then another alumnae on the pitch walked to the stand where Pita was seated and displayed a T-shirt, bearing the message: “None of your business”, apparently in protest against a campaign by some members of the Move Forward party and anti-establishment activist groups, calling for an end to card stunts, which are planned, coordinated sequences of actions performed by an audience, whose members raise cards which, together, create a recognisable image. Such stunts have been an integral part of student activities at the traditional Jaturamit soccer tournament involving the four colleges. More booing ensued.

A huge banner, carrying the message: “Stop the card stunts”, was hung from the top of a building, opposite the National Stadium. It is alleged to have been installed by an anti-establishment activist group.

Pita, who appeared embarrassed by the protest, is reported to have said that he had nothing to do with the campaign.

Dr. Kittitat Chaiprasit, an independent scholar, said in his Facebook post that the campaign against card stunts was intended to stir up trouble but, instead, it has backfired against the campaigners.

• Charter court to hear more witnesses in cases against Pita, Move Forward

The Constitutional Court will hold two more hearings next month to hear testimonies of more witnesses in two cases against the Move Forward Party and its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

The hearing on Wednesday was scheduled last week after the court decided that it needed more time to deliberate the two cases through debate among the judges in response to Move Forward Party’s submission of defence to the court.

The party submitted a written defence on October 2 and a list of additional witnesses on October 18.

In one of the cases, Pita, when he was the Move Forward leader, is accused of violating Article 49 of the Constitution by seeking to overthrow the monarchy through his election campaign to amend the lese majeste law, or Article 112 of the Criminal Code.

In the second case, Pita is accused of violating the charter that prohibits the shareholder of a media firm from contesting the election. The Election Commission alleged that Pita had applied as an election candidate while he was holding shares in iTV Plc.

In the iTV case, the court said it would conduct another hearing on December 20 to hear testimonies from witnesses, the Office of the Constitutional Court announced.

In the Article 112 case, the court on Wednesday deliberated on a plea by Thirayut Suwankesorn, a complainant, for the court to order the dissolution of the Move Forward for allegedly violating Article 49 of the charter by seeking to overthrow the monarchy with its plan to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code.

After the deliberation, the court decided that it needed more time to hear statements of witnesses.

The court has scheduled another hearing at 9.30am on December 25 to interrogate witnesses and to debate the Article 112 case, the Office of the Constitutional Court announced.

• Ex-Move Forward MP expelled for sexual harassment joins new political home

One of the two MPs, who were expelled earlier this month from the Move Forward Party for alleged sexual harassment, has found a new political home.

Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, a former Move Forward MP for Bangkok, has already notified the Election Commission that he will now be under the Thai Progress party banner.

This means that he can retain his membership of parliament, as the law states that an MP who is expelled from a party has 30 days to find a new one or lose their MP status.

Meanwhile, it is not yet known whether the other former Move Forward constituency MP for Prachin Buri province, Wuttiphong Thonglour, also expelled following a sexual harassment scandal, has found a new party.