Thailand’s Constitutional Court has requested an update on a petition lodged against the Move Forward Party and its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat. The petition was filed by Theerayut Suwankesorn, over MFP’s policy to reform the country’s lèse-majesté law.
The court has requested an update from the attorney-general, after Theerayut lodged his petition, which accuses MFP of violating Section 49. This law prohibits people from using citizens’ liberties and rights to overthrow the monarchy.
Section 49 also states that anyone who believes someone to be plotting such a move can request that the attorney-general forward the issue to the Constitutional Court.
In his petition, Theerayut has called on the court to order Pita and MFP to block any attempts at reforming the lèse-majesté law as doing so could be in breach of the constitution.
The law states that in the event of the attorney-general rejecting or not responding to a petition within 15 days, the petitioner can approach the Constitutional Court directly. Theerayut says he filed his petition with the attorney-general on May 30 and is now turning to the Constitutional Court as he has not had an answer from the attorney-general within the required timeframe.
Theerayut is also using a previous ruling by the Constitutional Court to back up his case. In November 2021, the court ruled against 3 political activists it declared had attempted to overthrow the monarchy at a rally at Thammasat University in August 2020.
The court ruled that the actions of human rights lawyer, Anon Nampa, and fellow activists Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul and Panupong Jadnok, indicated that they were using their rights and freedoms in an attempt to overthrow Thailand’s monarchy.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
