Thai opposition party Future Forward dissolved over loan from charismatic founder Thanathorn
- Party’s founder has also been banned from running for political office for 10 years, strengthening the hand of pro-military government
- The newly formed Future Forward Party came a surprise third in a general election last March, winning the support of many young people
Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Friday dissolved an upstart pro-democracy party and main opponent of the kingdom’s military-aligned government over a US$6 million loan it received from its billionaire founder.
Future Forward Party executives, including founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, were also “banned for running for political office for 10 years”, judge Nakarin Mektriarat said.
“They want to destroy us but this is the time to prove that they cannot destroy us. We have to be stronger,” Thanathorn told supporters after the ruling.“Future Forward is more than a party. You can dissolve the party but you cannot dissolve its people.”
Many supporters gathered at party headquarters shed tears after the verdict was read, and held up paper signs including: “Love Thanathorn,” “We can wait for 10 years. Keep on fighting,” and “The people created FFP, don’t rob us of our future!”