A Thai court has handed suspended sentences to former prime ministerial hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat and seven other political figures for holding an unlawful rally in 2019.
The case adds to the legal trouble facing the opposition Move Forward Party after the country’s constitutional court last week ruled that the party has undermined the monarchy and national security amid its campaign to amend a law protecting the monarchy from criticism.
Move Forward, a youthful, progressive party, won the most votes and seats in last year’s election after promising to reform the military, break up big business monopolies, and to amend the lese-majesty law. However, the party was blocked from taking power by unelected senators, who are considered part of the military royalist establishment. The party’s liberal agenda and huge appeal among young and urban voters is seen to represent a threat to the status quo in Thailand.
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