Thailand’s Opposition Party Dissolution Raises Concerns from Australia

The party’s dissolution was decided by a panel of 9 judges.

Former Thai prime ministerial candidate and former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat (C) leaves the Constitutional Court, after it ruled to ban him from politics for 10 years and dissolve his party over his attempt to reform Thailand's royal defamation laws, in Bangkok on Aug. 7, 2024. Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

Australia has expressed concern over the political situation in Thailand following the Constitutional Court’s nine-judge decision to dissolve the main opposition, the Move Forward Party.

The court banned Pita Limjaroenrat, the party’s former leader, along with 10 other leading members, from political involvement for 10 years due to their attempt to reform Thailand’s royal defamation laws.