Thailand politician, Pita Limjaroenrat, along with seven other members of the Move Forward Party have been handed a suspended sentence following their involvement in a large 2019 opposition rally led by the then Future Forward Party. This sentence, announced on Monday by a Thai court, marks a significant moment in Thailand’s legal and political landscape.
The opposition rally in question took place on December 14, 2019, and it was one of the largest protests in Thailand since the 2014 military coup. The goal of the rally was to call for the resignation of the former Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-o-cha. This protest attracted a significant crowd at the Pathumwam intersection in Bangkok, disrupting train services and affecting local accessibility.
At the conclusion of the trial at Pathumwan District Court, eight individuals, including Pita Limjaroenrat, were handed their sentence. Other sentenced individuals included business executive Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, member of parliament Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, FFP spokesperson Pannika Wanich, former election candidate of FFP Pairattachote Chantarakajon, Nattha Mahatthana, Thanawat Wongchai and Parit Chiwarak. Owing to their lack of prior criminal records and the nature of the political event, each received a two-month sentence, suspended for two years. Additionally, a fine of 20,200 baht was imposed on these individuals for staging an unannounced rally and using a loudspeaker without a permit. All those sentenced have expressed their intent to appeal the decision.
The Move Forward Party, established after the dissolution of the Future Forward Party in February 2020, is popular amongst the youth in Thailand due to its liberal policies. Though the party gained many seats in 2023, it failed to seat its prime ministerial candidate. Following closely on the heels of this trial, the Constitutional Court of Thailand had recently ruled against the Move Forward Party’s efforts to amend the country’s royal insult law, declaring it illegal.
The full trial and its background can be reviewed in detail here.