Future Forward MPs rally to ‘Move Forward’ in new party

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the newly launched Move Forward Party, greets supporters Sunday. Photo: Pita Limjaroenrat / FB
Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the newly launched Move Forward Party, greets supporters Sunday. Photo: Pita Limjaroenrat / FB

Fifty-five members of the disbanded Future Forward Party will join a new party officially announced Sunday. 

The Kao Klai Party, or Move Forward Party,  will be led by former Future Forward lawmaker Pita Limjaroenrat following last month’s court-ordered dissolution and banning of 10 party executives, including leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, from politics for 10 years.

Then other former Future Forward members had already defected to other parties – nine to Bhumjaitai, and one to Chartthaipattana. 

According to Pita, the remaining MPs who were joining Move Forward “definitely share the same ideologies” of the disbanded Future Forward Party.

“Please rest assured that our new home has the same old heart,” Pita said. “We will continue to push for a progressive agenda.”

The announcement received a generally favorable reaction online, where Future Forward enjoyed broad support.

Future Forward placed third one year ago in the first vote held since 2014, largely on a platform of reforming the military, restoring democracy and reining in monopolies. Wildly popular with younger voters, the party alarmed the ultraconservative status quo. Thanathorn was disqualified from entering parliament on a technicality and the party was dealt a fatal blow by the Constitutional Court for operating on a loan from him. Supporters see the decisions as politically motivated.

Following the decision, protests erupted anew at campuses across the country but have quieted down as many students are sitting for final exams.

The Move Forward Party registered with the Election Commission on Friday under what had been the Ruam Pattana Chart Thai, a party registered in 2014 with more than 2,ุ600 members. 

Related:

No New Future: Court orders Thai opposition Future Forward Party dissolved



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