Thai pro-democracy party on edge of dissolution over court cases

Constitutional Court to give January verdict in move some see as clampdown

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of Thailand's progressive Future Forward Party engages with his supporters at a sudden unauthorised rally in Bangkok on Dec. 14. © Reuters

MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writer

December 25, 2019 17:50 JST

BANGKOK -- Thailand's second-largest opposition party led by millionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit will face two separate trials in the Constitutional Court that could lead to the party's disbandment.

The court on Wednesday accepted a petition from the Election Commission urging it to investigate the pro-democracy Future Forward Party. The court gave Thanathorn's party 15 days to prepare documents to challenge the petition. If found guilty, Future Forward could face an order to dissolve.