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: August 09 2024

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

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

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome
2 MIN READ

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome Face Doubts and Threats

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on
2 MIN READ

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on Ukraine Peace Talks in Europe

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over 900 Fallen Soldiers

Veterans and Reservists Rally to
2 MIN READ

Veterans and Reservists Rally to End Gaza Conflict

Genre image
2 MIN READ

Norway's Largest Robbery Figure Found Dead in Oslo Forest

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays
3 MIN READ

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays Ukraine and Moldova Membership

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine
2 MIN READ

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 11 Dead, Over 100 Injured

China Refutes Claims of Supplying
1 MIN READ

China Refutes Claims of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Severe Weather in Italy Claims
2 MIN READ

Severe Weather in Italy Claims Three Lives, Triggers State of Emergency

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones
1 MIN READ

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones for US Trips Over Spy Concerns

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents
3 MIN READ

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents Facing Severe Hunger Crisis

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave 15 Dead, Including Family in Khan Yunis

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill
2 MIN READ

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 74, Injure 171, Houthi Movement Reports

Trump Plans UK Visit to
1 MIN READ

Trump Plans UK Visit to Meet King Charles This Autumn

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder
1 MIN READ

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder Charges in CEO's Death

Red Cross Building in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Building in Gaza Damaged by Explosion, ICRC Expresses Outrage

Ukraine Talks to Continue in
2 MIN READ

Ukraine Talks to Continue in London Next Week Following Paris Meeting

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After
1 MIN READ

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After Devastating Earthquake

Cable Car Accident in Italy
1 MIN READ

Cable Car Accident in Italy Claims Four Lives Near Naples

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species
1 MIN READ

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species Protection Law, Sparking Criticism

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent
1 MIN READ

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent Collapse in Gaza Due to Blockade

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending
1 MIN READ

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending Taurus Robots to Ukraine

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as
1 MIN READ

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as Violence Spreads, Warns HRW

Russia Removes Terrorist Label from
1 MIN READ

Russia Removes Terrorist Label from Taliban

Genre image
1 MIN READ

57 Civilians Killed in al-Fashir Clashes Between Army and Paramilitaries

Russian Military Officer Sentenced to
1 MIN READ

Russian Military Officer Sentenced to Prison for Corruption

IAEA Warns Time is Running
1 MIN READ

IAEA Warns Time is Running Out for Iran-US Nuclear Agreement

Israeli Strikes Hit Southern Lebanon,
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes Hit Southern Lebanon, Targeting Suspected Hezbollah Sites

Trump Confident of Fair Customs
1 MIN READ

Trump Confident of Fair Customs Deal with EU, Says Meloni

Wrongfully Deported Man Remains in
3 MIN READ

Wrongfully Deported Man Remains in El Salvador Prison Despite Court Ruling

Turkey's Largest Drug Bust: Over
1 MIN READ

Turkey's Largest Drug Bust: Over 520 Arrested in Ankara Raids

Myanmar Releases 5,000 Prisoners for
1 MIN READ

Myanmar Releases 5,000 Prisoners for New Year Celebrations

Macron Hosts Key Talks in
2 MIN READ

Macron Hosts Key Talks in Paris on Ukraine's Future with Global Leaders

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill 37, Including Entire Family

Colombia Declares Emergency as Yellow
1 MIN READ

Colombia Declares Emergency as Yellow Fever Outbreak Spreads