A new progressive political party risks being nipped in the bud after a group asked the Election Commission (EC) to consider whether the application to set up the Future Forward party violates a law, Thai media reported.
A group calling itself the Confederation of People Checking Thai State, led by chairman Sonthiya Sawasdee, submitted the letter to the EC seeking a review of the Future Forward party.
Auto-parts heir Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Thammasat academic Piyabutr Saengkanokkul applied to set up the new party with the EC on March 15. The process involves booking the party’s name before the EC considers its eligibility.
Mr Sonthiya said on Monday Asst Prof Piyabutr said on that day the party would not amend the lese majeste but would consider it.
“While the party has yet to be legally set up, its manifesto and policy are considered a party regulation. His view on the law therefore violates Section 14 of the political party law, which bans parties from causing divisions in the country.
“The announcements of this party’s policies have caused a rift since the beginning. There are other ways to reform the country without violating the institution. The EC should make clear whether it would allow this party to be set up despite such a policy and whether he [Asst Prof Piyabutr] would do more if the party is formed,” Mr Sonthiya said.
Asst Prof Piyabutr said on March 15 that while he was a member of the Nitirat group, he pushed for the amendment of the law because it had been used to destroy political opponents.
“Now that I became a politician, I personally think the law should be amended to prevent it from being used that way. However, it depends on party policies and the decision of other party members whether to push it.
“Nitirat is an academic group and has nothing to do with Future Forward and Future Forward is not mine alone,” he said.
