NACC to sue 44 ex-Move Forward MPs over lèse majesté push today

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has decided to file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders on Thursday, accusing 44 former MPs of the now-defunct Move Forward Party of gross ethical violations for advocating amendments to the lèse majesté law.

NACC secretary-general Surapong Intarathawon said on Wednesday that, of the 44, 10 are currently serving MPs of the People’s Party, including eight party-list MPs and two constituency MPs.

He said the NACC, in its lawsuit, will ask the Supreme Court to suspend the 10 active MPs from performing their parliamentary duties, adding that it is at the court’s discretion whether to issue a suspension order.

The eight party-list MPs are party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Sirikanya Tansakul, Rangsiman Rome, Wayo Asavaroongruang, Pakornwut Udompipatskul, Natthawut Buaprathum, Surachet Pravinvongvuth and Nutcha Boonchai-in.

The two constituency MPs are Teerajchai Panthumat and Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, both representing Bangkok.

The People’s Party would be little affected even if all 10 MPs are suspended, as the eight party-list MPs would be automatically replaced by others on the party list.