The Supreme Court will convene next Friday (24 April) to decide whether to accept a case against 44 former Move Forward Party (MFP) MPs over a bid to amend the royal defamation law.

After the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) forwarded the case to the Court on 9 April, NACC Secretary-General Surapong Intarathawon revealed that the Supreme Court scheduled a meeting next Friday (24 April) to decide whether to accept the case for further consideration, according to ThaiPBS.

The 44 include both former MFP MPs who have joined the People’s Party and former MFP executives disqualified from politics for 10 years following the party’s dissolution, such as former MFP party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, as well as several leading MPs in the People’s Party.

10 of them were elected to the new parliament: People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Sirikanya Tansakun, Rangsiman Rome, Wayo Assawarungruang, Pakornwut Udompipatskul, Natthawut Buapratum, Surachet Pravinvongvuth, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, Teerajchai Phunthumas, and Taopiphop Limjittrakorn.

Natthaphong and Sirikanya were also the party’s prime ministerial candidates.

In 2021, the 44 former MPs jointly backed a bill proposing amendments to the royal defamation law. Their proposals included:

1. reducing the sentence for royal defamation to up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to 300,000 baht, or both in case of defamation against the King, or up to 6 months in prison, a fine of 200,000 baht, or both for defaming the Queen, the heir to the throne, or the Regent;
2. moving the royal defamation law from the chapter in the Criminal Code concerning national security so a settlement can be made;
3. allowing only the Bureau of the Royal Household to file a royal defamation complaint; and
4. adding a clause protecting good-faith criticisms and disclosure of factual information in the public interest – the same exemptions allowed in the laws for defamation against other individuals.

A complaint was filed against the 44 MPs after the 31 January 2024 Constitutional Court ruling that proposing amendments to the royal defamation law is treasonous and the 7 August 2024 ruling to dissolve the MFP for committing treason.

In February 2026, the NACC ruled that the 44 former MPs had breached ethical standards and that it would seek a Supreme Court probe against them. The move came shortly after the election. Notably, several members from the NACC assumed office with the backing of so-called blue senators, who are widely known to be affiliated with the Bhumjaithai Party.

The NACC later forwarded the case to the Supreme Court on 9 April. According to the petition submitted to the Supreme Court, the NACC stated that the bill to propose an amendment is a constitutional right, but such a proposal must comply with the Constitution.

The proposed amendment of the royal defamation law which sought to downgrade the protected status of the monarchy could be seen as an intention to undermine national security and the dignity of the Head of State.

In addition, the 44 former MFP MPs were notified by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives that their proposed amendment was improper. However, they insisted on proceeding. The NACC, therefore concluded that their actions demonstrated clear malicious intent to undermine the monarchy.

The NACC requested the Court to revoke their rights to stand for elections and to prohibit them from holding political positions for life.

The NACC also asked the Court to disqualify the 10 incumbent MPs from their positions. In addition, the 10 MPs could be at risk of being suspended from parliamentary duties until the case reaches a final decision.

The NACC is an independent body established under the 2017 Constitution, which was drafted by a committee appointed by the coup leaders in the National Council for Peace and Order. The Senate has sole responsibility for appointing members of independent bodies.

The Constitutional Court, together with other independent bodies under the Constitution, jointly sets “ethical standards” for those in political positions and members of independent bodies themselves. Being guilty of breaching ethical standards could put their positions at risk, as seen in the recent cases of former PMs Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Srettha Thavisin.

The NACC is responsible for investigating such cases, and if sufficient grounds are found, the cases are forwarded to the Supreme Court.