In a surprising twist of events, all Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) are set to transition to the little-known Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party if the Constitutional Court rules to dissolve Move Forward next week, according to a reliable insider from the MFP. The court is poised to decide whether Move Forward should be disbanded for allegedly breaching Section 92 of the organic law on political parties. This ruling stems from a complaint lodged by the Election Commission (EC) back in March.
The EC’s complaint is pegged on a January 31 court ruling, which indicated that the party’s initiative to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly referred to as the lese-majeste law, was seen as an attempt to destabilize the constitutional monarchy.
In addition, the EC has called on the court to not only dissolve the party but also to impose a ban on the party’s executives from participating in future elections. This ban includes restrictions on registering or serving as executives in any new political parties for the next decade.
A strategic deal has already been brokered with the Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party, which might even undergo a name change in the future, disclosed the source. The Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party, according to the latest EC data, was registered several years ago and currently boasts 10,474 members. Its leadership team includes Tul Tintamora as the leader and Alisa Sattayawirut as the deputy leader, with other executives having taken up their roles on April 5 of this year. Their headquarters is situated in a housing estate in the Thawi Watthana district of Bangkok.
Despite fielding 13 candidates in the 2023 general election, the Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party did not secure any parliamentary seats. According to the insider, Sirikanya Tansakun, the deputy leader of Move Forward, is anticipated to emerge as the new leader for the MPs under the Thinkakhao Chaovilai banner. Furthermore, many of these MPs are expected to serve as the new party’s executives.
In the eventuality that Move Forward is dissolved, at least 10 party executives, including chief adviser Pita Limjaroenrat and party leader Chaithawat Tulathon, will face a decade-long ban from political activity, the source continued.
Drawing a parallel to past events, when the Future Forward Party (the predecessor of Move Forward) was dissolved by the court in 2020, several of its members switched allegiance to parties viewed as political and ideological adversaries of Future Forward. This defection did not sit well with their constituents, resulting in these members losing their seats in last year’s general election—a decision framed by political analysts as a voter backlash for their perceived betrayal.
This time around, Move Forward MPs are resolute in not repeating the same blunder, as per the insider. While there have been whisperings of some MPs secretly communicating with political adversaries, the fear of defecting to parties within the coalition government remains palpable among them.
With the court’s impending decision, the political landscape in Thailand stands on a precipice, and the actions of the Move Forward MPs could very well determine the trajectory of their political futures. Should the shift to Thinkakhao Chaovilai ensue, it will be intriguing to observe how these MPs navigate their new affiliations and whether they can recapture the support of their electorate.
This is just another political circus. They’ll just join another party and continue their agenda.
Yeah, but if their agenda is about reforming the lese-majeste law, that’s something we need.
Reforming lese-majeste law? That’s sacrilege! Our monarchy must remain untouchable.
John, that’s a slippery slope. Changing such laws could destabilize the whole country.
I find it amusing how they always switch allegiances. Do they seriously think their ideology can remain intact?
They have to switch to stay in the game. It’s politics, the name might change but goals can stay the same.
Think about it, if they keep their base’s support, the name of the party is irrelevant. It’s about the policies and the people they’re helping.
Sure, but voters aren’t that blind. They know a shift in name usually means a shift in loyalty, and that’s betrayal.
Not sure this move will work. If they lose trust, it doesn’t matter which party they join.
Totally. Once trust is broken, there’s no fixing it, especially in politics.
True, but sometimes it’s about survival. Politicians often have to make tough decisions to keep their careers going.
I hope they remember what happened last time. Shifting to a new party could end in disaster if they don’t stay true to their principles.
Principles in politics? That’s a joke. They are just trying to stay relevant.
WeChange has a point. Politicians are always morphing to fit the situation. It’s survival of the fittest.
Exactly, Teeranai. But if they forget their supporters, they will face backlash.
How many times must a party be dissolved before we realize the system is flawed? It’s the same old story over and over.
HistoryBuff, I think the system is deliberately designed this way to maintain control. Dissolution is a method to keep reformist parties in check.
I’m curious to see how Sirikanya Tansakun will handle the move. She might be the key to holding it all together.
I have high hopes for her as well. She seems capable of rallying the MPs and making a fresh start.
Move Forward shouldn’t have messed with the lese-majeste law. They brought this on themselves.
But the lese-majeste law is outdated. It’s high time we had a conversation about it.
Thinkakhao Chaovilai might have better luck attracting votes this time. People are tired of the old guard.
Well, let’s hope they at least maintain a semblance of stability. This constant party flipping is exhausting.
Wake me up when this saga is over. Political drama is more entertaining than TV shows lately.
The EC is clearly biased. They always target reformist parties. It’s a shame.
Alisa Sattayawirut seems like a poised leader. She might bring some balance to the new party.
A strategic deal without securing any seats? Seems like a desperate move to me.
What’s the point of elections if you can disband a party with a mere complaint? The system is a farce.
If they dissolve, Thinkakhao Chaovilai must seize the moment. It’s a golden opportunity.
Looks like history repeating itself. Will they learn from the Future Forward debacle though?
Tul Tintamora and Alisa Sattayawirut need solid strategies. Or else, they’ll go the same way as Move Forward. Let’s hope they have a plan.
It’s all politics. They will do whatever it takes to stay in power.
All this focus on political maneuvering. What about actual governance and policies?
Courts have too much power in Thai politics. Judicial overreach is a real issue.
Thailand needs a new way forward. Too much political stagnation.
I hope the MPs think long and hard about their decision. Constituents aren’t fools.
Political parties are ephemeral. What matters is who works for the people, not party name.