44 members of the recently disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP) face an ethics investigation for supporting the proposal to amend the royal defamation law. If found guilty, they will be banned from politics for life.

Following the Constitutional Court rulings of 31 January and 7 August which found that MFP’s proposal to amend the royal defamation law constituted an attempt to overthrow of the monarchy, 44 MPs are slated to face an ethics investigation, according to the report from NBT Connext.

In 2021, 33 members, including 11 who are now banned from politics following the party’s dissolution, signed 5 drafts aimed at protecting the people’s freedom and expression, one of which was a draft to amend the royal defamation.

The Court rulings cited this action as evidence that the party attempted to overthrow the democratic regime with the King as the head of state. After the party was ordered to dissolve and its executive members were banned, the rulings are seen to provide grounds for the case against the remaining MPs.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed in February by lawyer Theerayut Suwankesorn, who previously requested that the Court rule whether the MFP was attempting to overthrow the democratic regime with the King as the head of state by campaigning to amend the royal defamation law.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) revealed that preliminary evidence is consistent with the Constitutional Court rulings, an investigation is underway, and the MPs will be summoned to clarify the allegations against them.

The NACC is reportedly in the process of gathering facts and evidence from relevant parties.

When asked if a proposal to amend the royal defamation law is violates ethical conduct, NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol said it could be a severe breach under the Criminal Code.

If the NACC finds sufficient evidence, the case will forward the case to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions.

If found guilty, the MPs will be banned from running for election for a lifetime.

Previously, former MP Pannikar Wanich from the MFP’s predecessor Future Forward Party, also underwent an ethics investigation and was banned from politics for life in connection with a picture, which she posted online 13 years ago, deemed disrespectful to the monarchy. The picture showed Pannikar and her university classmates allegedly making improper gestures in front of a picture of the late King Bhumibol.