Constitutional Court Dissolves Move Forward Party, Bans Party Execs From Politics

Thailand's Constitutional Court has announced its unanimous decision to dissolve the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) due to its earlier efforts to amend the country's lese-majeste law.

• Although widely expected by local observers, the verdict is a setback for the reform-oriented political movement which was the front-runner in last year's election. The court's decision decapitates the MFP, with senior party executives banned from politics for 10 years. This will cause organisational problems for the reformist movement, while also triggering a fresh search for new charismatic leaders.
• While the dissolution of the MFP deals a heavy blow to the progressive movement driving the party, it leaves the underlying social forces intact. The Thai Enquirer reported that it is the ninth large party to be dissolved sine 2007, the most recent one being the Future Forward Party, the direct predecessor of the MFP. It is expected that a new political force may be formed on the ashes of the MFP.
• The decision may affect the balance of power within Thai parliament. Reports of other parties trying to poach MFP MPs ahead of the announcement of the verdict have been doing the rounds recently. Surviving MPs (i.e. non-MFP executives) will only keep their seats if they manage to join a new party within 60 days. Note that the MFP was the largest party in parliament, holding 148 out pf 500 seats in the House of Representatives.