Court ruling will result in Thailand’s opposition leader reclaiming seat

Thai politician Pita Limjaroenrat has been acquitted of violating electoral laws related to his ownership of shares in a media outlet and is now eligible to reclaim his parliamentary seat

Thai politician Pita Limjaroenrat, whose party emerged victorious in the elections held in May but was unable to establish a government, was cleared of violating electoral law on Wednesday for holding shares in a media outlet. Consequently, he will be able to reclaim his parliamentary seat. 

The Constitutional Court delivered its verdict during a hearing attended by Pita, who had vacated his seat in July when the proceedings against him for owning shares in the iTV channel commenced. 

Before entering the court, the 43-year-old Pita stated that iTV had been inactive since 2007, leading him to believe that he had not committed any irregularities, as reported by government channel Thai PBS. 

The court’s decision enables the politician to resume his roles as the opposition leader in parliament and the head of his party, Move Forward, positions he relinquished after leaving his seat. 

Despite defying the odds to win the elections, Pita’s party was unable to form a government due to the obstruction by the upper house, appointed by the former military junta, which collaborates with the lower house in electing the prime minister. 

Move Forward has alleged being targeted by a campaign of legal harassment by public authorities, involving multiple complaints against politicians, activists, and the party itself. 

The case on Wednesday pertains to Pita’s ownership of 42,000 iTV shares, constituting 0.0035% of the channel’s shares, which is embroiled in legal disputes seeking its dissolution. 

Pita, who has transferred the shares, stated that he inherited them as a trust from his family following his father’s passing in 2006. 

The political leader and other Move Forward leaders are facing another case in the constitutional court, with a ruling expected on Feb. 31 regarding the party’s alleged attempt to undermine the constitutional monarchy by proposing reforms to the strict royal defamation law. 

The progressive party has drawn the ire of pro-monarchist and pro-military factions due to its initiatives to curtail the authority of the military leaders and, particularly, reform the law, which some perceive as an affront to the monarchy. 

Following Move Forward Party’s unsuccessful attempts to establish a government, Pheu Thai leader Srettha Thavisin formed a coalition with several parties, including two pro-military parties, and was elected prime minister on Aug. 22. 

Source: Newsroom