Charismatic Profile Banned from Politics in Thailand

Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolves the country's largest opposition party Kao Klai. The party won a landslide victory in last year's election but was not allowed to take power.

» Updated: September 09 2024

» Published: August 07 2024

Charismatic Profile Banned from Politics in Thailand
Photo: Sakchai Lalit/AP/TT

Kao Klai, which went to the election on a promise to ease the country's strict lese-majesty laws, lost a case earlier this year in the Constitutional Court. It was established that the promises to reform the lese-majesty laws constituted an attempt to overthrow the Thai monarchy and the party's representatives were banned from continuing to pursue such a policy. Subsequently, the Election Commission received petitions to dissolve the party.

Amnesty: Unacceptable

The verdict also means that the party's leaders are banned from political activity for the next ten years. Among them is the charismatic former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, writes AP.

"The Constitutional Court's decision to dissolve the Progressive Party is an unacceptable decision that reveals the authorities' total lack of respect for human rights," writes Deprose Muchena, senior director at Amnesty International, in a press release.

Rigged System

The military seized power in Thailand through a coup in 2014 and later introduced a political system that is clearly rigged in its favor. Parties that challenge the military and monarchist establishment have also been disqualified in various ways.

Thai domestic politics can be described as a power struggle between supporters of a traditional elite - the military, the royal house, and the state administration - and a broad group that opposes them.

The largest party in parliament after the 2023 election was the progressive and youth-friendly party Kao Klai, which emerged from the ashes of the party New Future, dissolved by the Supreme Court. The party leader was the Harvard-educated Pita Limjaroenrat, a young and wealthy businessman.

The party program includes, among other things, democracy issues, abolition of the military's political influence, a new constitution, reduced royal power, and legalization of same-sex marriage.

Sources: Landguiden/UI and others.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Netanyahu Heads to EU Despite
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Heads to EU Despite ICC Arrest Warrant

US Pledges Strong Military Presence
1 MIN READ

US Pledges Strong Military Presence in Taiwan Strait to Deter China

Trump Confident US Will Acquire
2 MIN READ

Trump Confident US Will Acquire Greenland for Security Reasons

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills
1 MIN READ

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills Eight, Including Five Children

Grave Cleanup Sparks South Korea's
1 MIN READ

Grave Cleanup Sparks South Korea's Largest Forest Fire

Greenland's Independence Dream: A Dangerous
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Independence Dream: A Dangerous Utopia, Warns Lynge

Civil War Complicates Earthquake Relief
2 MIN READ

Civil War Complicates Earthquake Relief in Myanmar

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Attack on Kharkiv Leaves Two Dead, Dozens Injured

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Hind Kabawat Becomes First Female Minister in Syria's New Government

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Drone Strike on Kharkiv Military Hospital

Hezbollah Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on
1 MIN READ

Hezbollah Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon After Ceasefire

Zelensky Highlights Russia's Silence on
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Highlights Russia's Silence on US Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas Agrees to Ceasefire Proposal;
1 MIN READ

Hamas Agrees to Ceasefire Proposal; Israel Submits Counter-Offer

Israel Expands Ground Offensive in
1 MIN READ

Israel Expands Ground Offensive in Southern Gaza

Frederiksen's Greenland Visit Signals Closer
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen's Greenland Visit Signals Closer Denmark-USA Ties

Vance's Greenland Speech Criticized for
2 MIN READ

Vance's Greenland Speech Criticized for Lacking Substance

Myanmar Earthquake Victims Face Dire
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Victims Face Dire Healthcare Shortage, UN Warns

Two Dead, 105 Arrested in
1 MIN READ

Two Dead, 105 Arrested in Nepal Protests Over Former Monarchy

WHO Faces Budget Cuts After
2 MIN READ

WHO Faces Budget Cuts After US Withdrawal Decision

US Aid Halt Sparks Toxic
5 MIN READ

US Aid Halt Sparks Toxic Risk in Vietnam, Cleanup Efforts Stalled

Drone Strike in Pakistan Kills
1 MIN READ

Drone Strike in Pakistan Kills Over Ten, Including Children

Protesters in Copenhagen Rally Against
1 MIN READ

Protesters in Copenhagen Rally Against US Interest in Greenland

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Several Injured in Serious Violent Incident in Trondheim, Norway

Massive Istanbul Protests Demand Release
1 MIN READ

Massive Istanbul Protests Demand Release of Mayor Imamoglu

Guinea Pardons Ex-Dictator Camara After
1 MIN READ

Guinea Pardons Ex-Dictator Camara After Arena Massacre Sentence

Over 100,000 Russian Soldiers Confirmed
1 MIN READ

Over 100,000 Russian Soldiers Confirmed Dead in Ukraine Conflict

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's
1 MIN READ

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's Remarks on Greenland Visit

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen
2 MIN READ

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen Targeting Houthi-Controlled Areas

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites
1 MIN READ

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites Kennedy's Misinformation

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in
1 MIN READ

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in Ongoing Clashes with Indian Forces

Greenland's Jørgen Boassen Faces Backlash,
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Jørgen Boassen Faces Backlash, Supports US Ties

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK
2 MIN READ

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK Military Documents in Trash Bag

Myanmar Earthquake Claims Over 1,600
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Claims Over 1,600 Lives, Rescue Efforts Intensify

Columbia University President Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Columbia University President Steps Down After Funding Agreement

Utah Enacts Ban on Rainbow
1 MIN READ

Utah Enacts Ban on Rainbow Flags in Schools and Government Buildings

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Attack on Dnipro Leaves Four Dead, Many Injured

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US
1 MIN READ

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US of Airstrikes on Sanaa

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in
1 MIN READ

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in Christian Quarters After Protests

Zelensky Open to Peace Talks
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Open to Peace Talks with Russia, Excluding Putin

South Sudan's Vice President Riek
1 MIN READ

South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar Placed Under House Arrest