A COURT in Thailand ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party, which finished first in last year’s general election, saying it violated the constitution by proposing an amendment of a law against defaming the country’s royal family.

The Constitutional Court said today that it voted unanimously to dissolve the party because its campaign proposal to amend the law amounted to an attempt to overthrow the nation’s constitutional monarchy.

The Move Forward Party was unable to form a government after topping the polls because members of the Senate, at that time a conservative military-appointed body, refused to endorse its candidate for prime minister.

The Election Commission had filed a petition against the party after the Constitutional Court ruled in January that it must stop advocating changes to the law, known as Article 112, which protects the monarchy from criticism with penalties of up to 15 years in jail per offence.

Move Forward has insisted that it wants to keep the monarchy above politics and not be exploited as a political tool.

The court also imposed a 10-year ban on political activity for those who held the party’s executive positions while it campaigned for the proposed amendment. Among them are its charismatic former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, and current chief Chaithawat Tulathon.

Speaking to followers and the media on Wednesday evening, Mr Pita said although he had to say goodbye as a politician, he looks forward to continuing his work as an active citizen.

He said people may be frustrated, but he would like to ask them to vent their frustration at the ballot box in every election from now on.

He declared that he was “absolutely proud” of what he had achieved and had no regrets.

“I have left my dent in the universe. And I’ll make sure that I pass the baton to the next-generation leaders,” he said.

Politicians of a dissolved political party who are not banned from politics can keep their seats in parliament if they move to a new party within 60 days.

Mr Pita said party members will carry on “in a new vehicle” to be introduced on Friday, although he will not be a part of it. The party declined to announce details of the changeover.