Former Thai prime minister candidate faces more legal trouble

A Thai court today (February 5) handed down suspended sentences to former prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and six other political figures on charges of organizing an illegal protest in 2019, The Bangkok Post reported.

Mr. Pita was the former president of the Forward Party, Thailand’s main opposition party. Meanwhile, Mr. Thanathorn was the former leader of the Future Forward Party (FFP), the predecessor of the now-disbanded Forward Party.

The new developments add to the legal troubles facing the Forward Party after Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled that the party had undermined the monarchy and national security.

Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat appeared at the Thai Constitutional Court on January 24.

Previously, the Pathumwan Court in Bangkok sentenced 6 leading figures of the Future Forward Party to 4 months in prison, 2 years suspended sentence and 11,200 baht fine, according to Reuters.

The charges relate to a protest the politicians led in December 2019 in Bangkok.

Mr Pita said he would appeal the ruling. Meanwhile, his lawyer said other political figures involved would also take similar action.

Mr Pita could be disqualified from parliament if his appeal fails and the court upholds the verdict. Thai law does not allow people convicted of serious crimes to hold seats in parliament.

Forward is the largest party in parliament after a surprise election victory last year, with pledges to abolish business monopolies and curb the military's entrenched political influence.

The party now risks being dissolved and its leaders banned from politics, as lawyers and the opposition mount more legal challenges following the Constitutional Court ruling.

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