Thailand’s Supreme Court on Friday, April 24, 2026, accepted for consideration a petition against 44 former Move Forward Party MPs over alleged lese majeste and serious ethical misconduct, while allowing 10 sitting MPs to remain on duty. The court declined to suspend the 10 MPs, who now represent the People’s Party in the current House of Representatives, meaning they can continue performing parliamentary duties as the case proceeds.
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The petition was filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which accused the former MPs of jointly signing and proposing a bill to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code in a manner that may have breached serious ethical standards. The court’s panel of judges began deliberations at around 10.30am and issued its order at approximately 10.55am, confirming the case would move forward without immediate suspensions.
NACC officials arrived at the Supreme Court at Sanam Luang at about 9.15am to attend the hearing but did not give interviews to the media. The People’s Party sent a legal team led by lawyer Nithi La-iaddee to hear the ruling, while no party executives, current MPs, or former Move Forward MPs named in the case were present.
Their absence was due to the People’s Party holding its annual general meeting at Maple Hotel Bangna on the same day. Before entering the court, Nithi said the party had prepared for multiple possible outcomes, including the court accepting or rejecting the petition, requesting amendments, suspending MPs, or allowing them to continue working.
The court’s decision not to suspend the 10 sitting MPs means there is no immediate disruption to parliamentary operations. However, the acceptance of the case signals that the allegations will undergo full judicial examination, potentially carrying significant political and legal implications depending on the final ruling.
The 10 sitting MPs involved are:
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, party-list MP and People’s Party leader
Sirikanya Tansakun, party-list MP
Rangsiman Rome, party-list MP
Wayo Assawarungruang, party-list MP
Pakornwut Udompipatskul, party-list MP
Nattawut Buaprathum, party-list MP
Surachet Pravinvongvuth, party-list MP
Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, party-list MP
Theeratchai Phanthumas, Bangkok MP
Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, Bangkok MP
The Nation reported that the Supreme Court will proceed with its consideration of the case, examining the actions of the 44 former MPs and determining whether their conduct violated ethical standards. Any future rulings could affect both the individuals involved and broader interpretations of legislative conduct in Thailand.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 25 Apr 2026