NACC resolves to indict 44 former Move Forward MPs over lese majeste bill

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has resolved to indict 44 former MPs of the now disbanded Move Forward Party for breach of ethical standards over their sponsorship of a bill to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

Since the dissolution of Move Forward in August last year, 39 of these MPs have moved to the People’s Party, the main opposition in the lower House. 

In a Facebook post on Friday, People's Party MP Rangsiman Rome said he had received a summons from the anti-graft body to be notified of the charges.

“I don’t understand how sponsoring to amend a law is illegal, as it is the duty of an MP,” he said. “Besides, there are no laws prohibiting the amendment to Article 112.”

Rangsiman added that before the Move Forward 2023 election, the party had submitted its policy to amend the lese majeste law to the Election Commission, which did not rule it as a breach of ethical standards.

He also questioned the NACC’s priority in handling complaints, citing that several complaints filed by the People's Party have shown very little progress, while the cases against the party were quickly handled.

“I am well aware that my time may be limited, so in the meantime, I will continue to carry out my duties to the fullest," said Rangsiman, promising to report any progress in the case to the public.

Following the  dissolution of Move Forward, two complaints were filed by Thirayuth Suwankesorn, a lawyer, and Sonthiya Sawasdee, a former adviser to the House committee on legal affairs, against 44 former Move Forward MPs.

Five of them have already been banned from politics following the Constitutional Court’s ruling to dissolve the party for attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy system by seeking to amend Article 112.