Move Forward Partyโ€™s fate hangs in balance

The Constitutional Court is set to discuss extending the deadline for the Move Forward Party (MFP) to submit its defence in a crucial dissolution case.

Sources revealed that President Nakharin Mektrairat announced that the court will convene next Tuesday, April 16, to mull over the pivotal decision of granting a 15-day extension.

Nakharin hinted at the likelihood of the court favouring the extension, pushing any potential ruling beyond Aprilโ€™s end.

โ€œThis unprecedented move signifies a potential shift in the partyโ€™s fate.โ€

Surprisingly, the MFP is yet to formally request the extension, relying solely on statements from key figures like former leader Pita Limmjaroenrat and current leader Chaithawat Tulathon, who hinted at seeking an elongation.

Amidst speculations of strategic manoeuvring, reports suggest the MFP might push for a staggering 60-day extension, sparking debate over the partyโ€™s intentions.

Adding to the intrigue, thereโ€™s talk of calling in witnesses, raising eyebrows over potential delays. Nakharin warned that any such move would undergo rigorous scrutiny.

The tumultuous saga began with the Election Commissionโ€™s unanimous vote on March 12 to dissolve the MFP, the nationโ€™s primary opposition force, spurred by complaints from serial petitioners Ruangkrai Leekitwattana and Theerayut Suwankesorn.

Citing alleged breaches of political party laws, the complainants referenced a prior court ruling that condemned the MFPโ€™s attempts to amend the lese majeste law, deemed an assault on the constitutional monarchy, reported The Nation.

Despite previous setbacks, Nakharin clarified that prior rulings wouldnโ€™t dictate the outcome, asserting that each case operates under distinct legal frameworks, underscoring the precarious nature of the MFPโ€™s predicament.

In related news, the MFP has levelled charges at the government for alleged embezzlement about the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) planned acquisition of a new frigate.

The controversy, now infamously dubbed as the โ€œchange moneyโ€ scandal, was brought into the limelight by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MP from the MFP, on the final day of a general debate in Parliament that did not culminate in a censure vote. His allegations ignited a fiery exchange between the opposing factions of the government.

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Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.

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