Thailand's main opposition party today announced a new name, the People's Party, and a new leader, 37-year-old Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, two days after it was dissolved by the country's judiciary.
"I was elected to become the leader of the party. Our mission is to prepare a government of change for the 2027 elections," said Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut at a press conference in Bangkok.
The People's Party (Prachachon in Thai) retains the orange colour of its predecessor, the pro-democracy Move Forward party, as well as a similar triangular logo.
"We would like to be a party of the people, for the people, that can move Thailand forward so that the people come to power," said People's Party spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu.
Thailand's Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday to dissolve Move Forward, on charges of trying to destabilise the monarchy, and to ban leader Pita Limjaroenrat and other members of the party's executive committee, "who held office between March 25, 2021 and January 31, 2024", from political activity for 10 years.
After winning last year's general elections, Move Forward was unable to form a government because members of the Senate, at the time a conservative body appointed by the military, refused to support the prime ministerial candidate, and the party then went on to lead the opposition.
The Electoral Commission filed a petition calling for the dissolution of Move Forward on the grounds that the progressive party had advocated changes to the lese majeste law, which currently carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison for each offence.
Even before the court ruling, Pita had told the Associated Press that the party would ensure a "smooth transition to a new home," meaning a new party.
Lawmakers from a dissolved political party can keep their seats in parliament if they switch to a new party within 60 days, according to Thai law.
The UN, the EU and several countries, including the United States, as well as human rights groups, have warned that the ruling undermines democracy and civil rights in Thailand.
