Thai opposition leader hopeful in party's battle for survival

But Pita Limjaroenrat warns that another probe could leave Move Forward decimated

- 

Thailand’s main opposition figurehead is hopeful his election-winning Move Forward Party will survive an upcoming dissolution case, but warned of the impact of another investigation that could leave the popular progressive outfit decimated.

Pita Limjaroenrat, who led Move Forward to victory in 2023's election but was blocked from taking power by army-appointed lawmakers, said Thailand's conservative establishment was once again flexing its muscle to contain popular leaders.

“This is the fifth vicious circle in 20 years. It’s been a way that the conservative elites have found a way to keep elected officials at bay,” he told Reuters in an interview at an office in Parliament amid the din of lawmakers debating in its chambers.

“It’s almost like an old record playing the same song over and over again.”

Thailand’s politics has been defined by a relentless two-decade struggle between its conservative royalist establishment, backed by the military, and popular political parties, including Move Forward.

In January, the Constitutional Court ruled Move Forward’s plan to amend a law against royal insults that protects the monarchy from criticism was a hidden effort to undermine the crown and ordered it to drop its campaign.