The chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has expressed concern over the potential dissolution of the Move Forward Party which is facing charges of attempting to overthrow Thailand’s democratic system under the monarchy.
Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md) also called on the Srettha government to uphold what he calls two countries’ shared values “by navigating this period with a commitment to democracy and the rule of law.”
“The 2023 election saw an unprecedented turnout, with over 39 million Thai citizens casting their votes in the largest democratic exercise in your country’s history,” wrote Cardin in a letter to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
“The Move Forward Party secured a significant victory, reflecting the will and voices of over 14 million Thais. Despite this clear mandate, Move Forward Party was unable to form a government and the Election Commission has submitted a petition to dissolve the Party,” he said.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule on the party’s political fate on August 7. If found guilty the party faces a dissolution and its top executives would be banned from politics for up to 10 years.
“If the Move Forward Party is dissolved, this decision will effectively disenfranchise millions of voters who called for progressive change and democratic reform,” wrote Cardin. “This action threatens to undermine Thailand’s commitment to democracy and human rights, shared values that have anchored our bilateral partnership for over 190 years.”
He urged the Thai government to respect the will of its people and uphold the democratic values “that have long been the foundation of our enduring alliance.”
“I sincerely hope that Thailand will navigate this period with a steadfast commitment to democracy and the rule of law, ensuring that the voices of its people are heard and respected,” he said.
The fate of Move Forward Party, meanwhile, has also been an issue of interest and concern among diplomats in Bangkok. Last week, diplomats from several European countries met with Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of Move Forward to discuss the legal case and the political situation in Thailand.
Pita said in his X post that the diplomats from 18 countries, led by EU Ambassador to Thailand David Daly “had every good exchange with me and a team from Move Forward.”
Last Friday, Pita and a delegation of Move Forward, were also invited to meet a group of Asian and western ambassadors and charges d‘affaires at the residence of the German ambassador. A post on the Facebook page of the German Embassy said the meeting was to review “the ongoing crisis of democracy in Thailand.”
Photo : US Senator Ben Cardin
