The Move Forward Party (MFP) has been urged to guide its demonstrators away from actions that could be seen as disrespectful towards the monarchy, while the party’s leader has expressed understanding of the demonstrators’ objectives.
The deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, stated on Sunday that MFP leader Chaithawat Tulathon, along with a key advisor and former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, should inform the Thalu Wang (breaking into the palace) protest group that the monarchy is neither an opponent nor engaged in political activities.
Mr. Thanakorn emphasized that disrespect towards the monarchy constitutes a serious offence and should not be mistakenly categorized as political activism eligible for amnesty.
He pointed out an event where Tantawan Tuatulanon and another member of the Thalu Wang group sounded their car horn at the motorcade of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn while she was on a Bangkok expressway on February 4.
Mr Thanakorn highlighted that Pita had once acted as a bail guarantor for Tantawan.
“Mr. Pita and Mr. Chaithawat should warn the group to stop offending the royal institution and make it understand that it is better to express political standpoints constructively and legally”, Mr. Thanakorn advised.
He noted the public’s general disapproval of the group’s provocative actions, including their survey on royal motorcades. Mr. Thanakorn expressed understanding of the backlash from a royalist group towards the Thalu Wang protesters in the Pathumwan district.
Jurin Laksanawisit, the former leader of the Democrat Party, commented on Sunday that the honking incident underlined the need to explicitly exclude acts of lese majeste from any amnesty legislation.
He argued that granting amnesty for lese majeste, corruption, and major criminal offences would only promote legal breaches.
On Saturday night, the MFP’s leader, Chaithawat, posted on Facebook acknowledging the Thalu Wang group’s intentions, recognizing that any form of opinion expression will be met with mixed reactions.
Chaithawat expressed his strong disagreement with the aggressive response from the Thai People Protecting the Monarchy group in Pathumwan.
He mentioned that offering amnesty could be one of various strategies to address political disputes.
MFP MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn shared on X that the aggressive actions of the group could negatively impact the monarchy, urging authorities to prevent the group from exploiting the monarchy for political attacks.
