Thai junta files sedition complaint against new party leader

BANGKOK: Thailand’s ruling junta has filed a complaint accusing the leader of a popular new political party of sedition and aiding criminals, a move that its target described as politically motivated.

The party, Future Forward, ran a strong third in elections last month that were also contested by a pro-military party.

Future Forward’s leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit (pic), said he would report to police on Saturday to receive the summons against him.

The potential penalty he would face is nine years in prison.

The summons he received did not specify what actions were the cause for the complaint.

Thanathorn and his party already have several criminal complaints and protests to the Election Commission lodged against them.

Speaking to reporters yesterday before a tour of a Bangkok neighbourhood to thank voters, Thanathorn said the new legal action against him was expected and “nothing new”.

“We are prepared. There’s nothing to worry about,” he said.

“We believe in our innocence. We believe these cases are politically motivated.”

Preliminary results of the March 24 general election failed to give any single party a majority, making it unclear whether pro- or anti-junta parties would hold a majority in the House of Representatives.

The Future Forward Party is a junior partner in an anti-junta coalition that claims have a majority of seats, but the final official voting results won’t be released until May 9.