Thai Court Clears Progressive Leader Pita Limjaroenrat of Election Law Violation

Victory for Move Forward party leader allows him to retain parliamentary seat, but another legal challenge looms over proposed royal defamation law reform.

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Thailand's Move Forward party, has been cleared by the Constitutional Court of violating election law by owning shares in a media company, allowing him to retain his seat in Parliament.
The ruling is a significant victory for the progressive party, which won the most votes in last year's election but was blocked from forming a government by the unelected Senate.
Despite the victory, Pita and his party face another legal challenge on January 31, where they are accused of attempting to overthrow Thailand's system of government by proposing to amend a law that makes it illegal to defame Thailand's royal family.
Pita's supporters have criticized the cases as dirty tricks used by the ruling conservative establishment to hamper or oust political rivals.
Pita has stated that regardless of the verdicts, he and his party will continue to fight for the reforms they have promised, including amending the lese majeste law, breaking up business monopolies, and limiting the military's influence in politics.

Voice of America (VOA News)