Thai Apex Court Agrees To Sue 10 Opposition Leaders Over Lese-Majeste Bill Proposal.

Bangkok; April 2026: Thailand’s Supreme Court yesterday (24th April 2026), agreed to hear an ethics case against 10 sitting members of parliament from the opposition People’s Party (PP), including the party’s leader, over their involvement in a ‘2021 proposal’ meant to amend the country’s strict “lese-majeste” law. The top court however declined to suspend any of the MPs from their parliamentary duties while the case proceeds.

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions convened at 10.30 hours (Local Time) to examine a petition filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against 44 former members of the currently dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP). 10 of those named, are at present serving MPs under the PP banner.

The case centres on a bill jointly proposed by the 44 former MFP MPs on 25th March 2021 to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code. The NACC has alleged the proposal constitutes a serious breach of ethical standards.

The court ruled that the case “carries sufficient weight for the court to proceed with its consideration”, one of the three judges on the panel stated. However, the court “has not ordered the suspension of the MPs’ duties”, he added.

The 10 sitting MPs named in the case are – 08 from the People’s Party namely:

PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut,

Sirikanya Tansakun,

Rangsiman Rome,

Wayo Assawarungruang,

Pakornwut Udompipatskul,

Nattawut Buaprathum,

Surachet Pravinvongvuth, 

Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat.

02 are Bangkok constituency MPs:

Teerajchai Phunthumas, 

Taopiphop Limjittrakorn.

Should the court find them guilty, all 10 MPs would face a lifetime ban on holding political office and would be stripped of their right to vote for 10 years.

Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, a century-old measure, shields the King and Members of the Royal Family from criticism and carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment per offence.

The proposed amendments, put forward in early 2021 by the 44 members of the Move Forward Party, sought to reduce penalties under the provision and designate the Bureau of the Royal Household as the sole authorised complainant in cases brought under it. Although the bill was never formally tabled in parliament, the MPs’ signatures on the proposal subsequently became key evidence in legal proceedings.

The MFP, the political predecessor of the PP, was dissolved by Thailand’s Constitutional Court in 2024. The court ruled that the party’s actions in pursuing lese-majeste reform amounted to an attempt to undermine the constitutional monarchy.

Yesterday (24th April 2026) NACC officials, acting as petitioners, arrived at the Supreme Court premises shortly after 9.15 Hours, but declined to give interviews to media gathered outside and proceeded directly into the building.

The PP, rather than sending party executives or any of the MPs named in the case, dispatched a legal team led by lawyer Nithi La-iaddee to attend the hearing and receive the court’s decision. None of the executives or implicated MPs were present; the party was simultaneously holding its annual general meeting at the Maple Hotel in Bang Na district, Bangkok.

The scene outside the court was notably calm. No supporters had gathered to observe or show solidarity, and officials had not erected media barricades of the kind seen at previous high-profile proceedings. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau were deployed around the court perimeter to maintain order.

In a press conference following the court’s decision, People’s Party leader Natthaphong insisted that the MPs’ proposal to amend the law was not intended to undermine the democratic regime with the King as Head of State. He said the group would fight the case in the Supreme Court to the end, while continuing to work with the public to push Thailand towards a democracy that truly serves the people.

Team Maverick.