NACC finds 44 ex‑Move Forward MPs guilty over bid to amend lèse‑majesté law

Guilty ruling could bar MPs from future polls

The National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC) on Monday found 44 former Move Forward Party MPs—now mostly with the People’s Party—guilty over their 2023 pledge to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse‑majesté law.

Ten of the 44 accused, including People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, were newly elected as MPs in Sunday’s general election.

The People’s Party finished second in the election, behind the Bhumjaithai Party. Mr Natthaphong conceded defeat and said his party would serve in opposition.

The NACC’s decision will be forwarded to the Supreme Court for consideration and judgement within 30 days of the resolution. A guilty ruling could cost the former MPs their seats and bar them from future elections.

According to NACC secretary‑general Surapong Intharathaworn, the commission concluded that the accused—led by former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat—in proposing the amendment aimed to diminish protections for the Monarchy through the legislative process, which could cause serious harm to the nation.

Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, is surrounded by supporters in Chiang Mai province on Jan 12, 2025. (Photo: People’s Party)

The proposed amendment contained content contrary to the constitution and amounted to a serious breach of ethical standards under Section 219 of the charter and Section 28(1) of the Organic Act on Anti‑Corruption, the independent constitutional agency said.

“The actions demonstrated a failure to uphold the democratic system with the King as head of state, as stipulated by the constitution. They also damaged the dignity of those holding public office,” the statement said.

Reports that the anti‑graft body would rule on whether the group’s conduct was unethical emerged on voting day. Mr Surapong clarified that the case of the 44 lawmakers had not been on the official agenda but could be added as a confidential item if the commissioners agreed, and he denied political interference.

In Monday’s decision the NACC noted that, although MPs have the right to jointly propose legislative amendments, the substance of any draft must be examined to determine whether it violates the constitution or contains inappropriate content.

Despite objections to the draft’s content, all 44 insisted on submitting the proposed amendment for further legislative proceedings, the NACC said.