Former Democratic MPs have criticised a recent meeting between core members of the Move Forward party, the political future of which is uncertain pending a Constitutional Court ruling concerning party dissolution, and foreign envoys as diplomatically inappropriate and as an attempt to interfere in Thailand’s internal affairs.
Rachada Dhnadirek, a former Bangkok MP, called for an immediate reaction from the government, particularly the Foreign Ministry, to protect Thailand’s dignity and interests.
“How can the Foreign Ministry allow the foreign envoys to receive only one-sided information? The ministry should respond to the matter,” she said.
Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of Move Forward, met with senior foreign diplomats, mostly from European countries, on August 2 at the residence of the German Ambassador to Thailand.
Expressing gratitude for the invitation, Pita posted on Facebook about the other foreign envoys present, including those from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden.
Other party members attending the meeting included party leader Chaithawat Tulathon.
The meeting occurred as the Move Forward party awaits the Constitutional Court’s ruling tomorrow on a petition filed by the Election Commission to disband the party over its proposal to amend the lèse majesté law.
Rachada said the foreign envoys should be aware that their actions are precarious, as they could be seen as an attempt to interfere in Thailand’s judicial process, despite the process being based on the Constitution and Move Forward defending itself without external interference.
She criticised their supportive gestures and opposition to the proposed party dissolution as undiplomatic and noted that such actions did not benefit diplomatic relations.
“Thailand has never acted in a way that disrespects other countries’ justice systems. Other countries should adhere to the same norm,” she said.
Meanwhile, Warong Dechgitvigrom, now the leader of the Thai Pakdee party, stated that the meeting constituted an attempt to pressure the Constitutional Court and interfere in Thai politics.
“Please don’t forget that Thailand is a sovereign country with its own laws,” he said, while calling for an end to attempts to bring division to the country.
Thai netizens, meanwhile, were divided in their reactions. Many wrote, under Pita’s image, supporting the foreign diplomats and agreeing with the meeting.
Others posted to their social media that they agree with Warong’s comments, viewing the meeting as an attempt to bring controversy to the country and criticising the envoys’ actions as undiplomatic.
