BANGKOK, Thailand – The leader of Thailand’s main opposition People’s Party on Friday defended a past bid to reform the country’s strict royal insult law, asserting the move was intended to bolster democracy rather than undermine the monarchy.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and nine other lawmakers face a potential lifetime political ban after the Supreme Court accepted a petition from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The petition alleges that 44 former members of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party—the predecessor to the People’s Party—committed a “gross ethical violation” by proposing a bill to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code.
The proposed amendment sought to prevent the law, which carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence per count, from being used as a political tool to silence dissent. Key changes included reducing prison terms and requiring that only the Bureau of the Royal Household be permitted to file complaints, ending the current provision that allows any citizen to do so.
Natthaphong emphasized that the proposal was not an act of hostility toward the constitutional monarchy, but an effort to establish a political system with transparent checks and balances.
He argued that the significance of this case is more important than their own political futures, as it concerns the future of Thai democracy and everyone in the country.
The leader also took aim at what he called “lawfare”—the use of legal systems for political ends. He stated that the party does not want to see judicial processes used to preserve a political system inherited from military coups, which he claimed diminishes public power to consolidate benefits for the elite and certain politicians.
Looking ahead, Natthaphong vowed that the People’s Party would maintain its role as a rigorous opposition. However, he declined to confirm if he would remain at the helm of the party, stating that his leadership would be decided during a general meeting this Sunday, April 26.
While the court has allowed the 10 sitting lawmakers to continue their parliamentary duties for now, it has prohibited them from repeating any actions similar to the conduct cited in the petition. The People’s Party has pledged to contest the case to the fullest extent to “protect the legitimacy of the power of people’s representatives. (TNA)
