The Party of European Socialists profoundly regrets the Thai Constitutional Court’s decision to order the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP). The party, a member of the Progressive Alliance, democratically won the most seats and votes in last year’s election in Thailand but was blocked from forming a government and sent to court for dissolution by the country’s Election Commission.
PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
“The disbandment of a democratic party that won the majority of the votes in a fair election is deeply worrying. The assault on the Move Forward Party is not just an isolated incident, but an attack on the broader reform movement in Thailand. It assaults fundamental values such as democracy, freedom, and equality.”
Today’s ruling also banned Move Forward’s former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, and ten other senior figures from politics for ten years.
PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck added:
“Such a harsh verdict on elected politicians is a clear attempt to suffocate democracy in Thailand. It shows how far unelected Thai institutions are willing to go to preserve the monarchy’s power. The PES reiterates the importance of safeguarding democratic principles and ensuring the protection of fundamental rights in the country.”
Giacomo Filibeck once again emphasized the need for stronger progressive cooperation in Southeast Asia last week in Manila. The PES has been standing by the democratic rights of the Move Forward Party immediately after the MFP was threatened following its victory at the Thai election in May last year.
The Progressive Alliance, a network that encompasses more than 140 progressive parties and organisations worldwide, issued a statement saying:
“This second dissolution of a progressive party is a continuing attempt to curtail the growth of Thai progressive movement and silence political critics. Despite this setback, we reiterate our solidarity with our MFP comrades and the broad progressive and democratic movement in Thailand. We find this political regression in Thailand a setback that disenfranchises the will of over 14 million people who aspired for change through the ballot in the elections of May 2023. Our international family remains by the side of MFP in their fight for the rule of law and justice.”
The PES and the Progressive Alliance call on democratic forces around the world to be vigilant about developments in the region. The progressive international community is witnessing an emerging antidemocratic trend in Southeast Asia.
