The dissolved Thai opposition party is reborn

Thailand's largest opposition party is relaunched with a new leader and name – two days after it was dissolved by the country's highest court.

» Published:

The dissolved Thai opposition party is reborn
Photo: Chatkla Samnaingjam/AP/TT

Share this article

The party made a major breakthrough in the election last year but was not allowed to take power. The new party will be led by the 37-year-old tech entrepreneur Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a spokesperson told journalists in Bangkok.

This week, Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolved the country's largest opposition party Kao Klai, and its leaders were banned from political activity for ten years. Something that the EU, USA, UN, and human rights organizations believe damages democracy in the country.

Kao Klai, among other things, campaigned to ease the country's strict lèse-majesté laws, which the court considers an attempt to overthrow the Thai monarchy.

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 monarchical establishment have also been invalidated in various ways in the past.

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, democratic 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

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threats, Analyst Warns

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threats, Analyst Warns

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting

Images of Trump and Epstein at Windsor Castle Lead to Arrests

Images of Trump and Epstein at Windsor Castle Lead to Arrests

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Death Penalty Charges

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Death Penalty Charges

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas