Double blow for losing Thai reformist party as 44 members face lifetime ban

More than three dozen former lawmakers of a pro-democracy party in Thailand face a lifetime ban from politics after the nation’s anti-corruption agency found them in breach of ethical standards over a failed bid to amend the royal insult law.The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said on Monday that 44 former lawmakers from the now-dissolved Move Forward Party had “failed to uphold and maintain the democratic system of government with the king as head of state” by submitting a petition to amend the lese majeste law in 2021.The ex-legislators also failed to “protect and preserve the institution of the monarchy, national independence and sovereignty”, the agency said in a statement.The commission said it would file the charge to the Supreme Court within 30 days, without specifying possible penalties.People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (centre) and key members greet after a press conference to concede the general election on Sunday. Photo: EPAIn similar cases in the past, the court has imposed lifetime bans from political office or contesting elections, or revoked voting rights for up to 10 years.The move came just hours after the People’s Party – Move Forward’s successor – was relegated to a distant second place in an election on Sunday it was widely tipped to win.