Bangkok: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has unanimously indicted 44 former Members of Parliament from the Move Forward Party, sending their case to the Supreme Court for a ruling. The accusations stem from their proposal to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the matter within 30 days.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Surapong Intarathaworn, Secretary-General and spokesperson for the NACC, announced that the commission has concluded its investigation into allegations against Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat and 44 others. The case revolves around their proposed amendment to the Criminal Code, which the NACC claims violates ethical standards outlined in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The NACC stated that the investigative committee had completed its fact-finding report by mid-2025 but faced delays due to objections and requests for further clarifications from the accused. Each of the 44 individuals submitted written and oral defenses, which required thorough examination before the NACC could finalize its consideration.
The commission identified the actions of the accused, including Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat and several other key figures, as serious ethical breaches. The NACC alleges that the proposal to amend the Criminal Code was part of a campaign policy aimed at undermining the protection of the monarchy, thus violating the democratic system with the King as head of state. The proposed changes are said to damage the dignity of the positions held by the accused and cause harm to the nation.
The NACC emphasized that while members of the House of Representatives have the right to propose amendments to laws, the content must not contradict constitutional provisions. Objections to the draft bill were raised by the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives under Articles 111 and 112 of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives, 2019.
Despite these objections, the accused proceeded with their proposal, leading to the NACC's decision to forward the case to the Supreme Court. The court will determine whether the actions of the 44 individuals constitute a serious violation of ethical standards, as outlined in the ethical guidelines for Constitutional Court judges and other high-ranking officials. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling within 30 days from the date of the NACC's resolution.