Thai Liberal Party, or Seri Ruam Thai, leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves and key Thai Raksa Chart (TRC) member Ruangkrai Leekitwattana yesterday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to dissolve the pro-regime Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).
TRC boss Preechaphol Pongpanich will only speak about the premier row in court. Apichit Jinakul
The move came after the Constitutional Court last week accepted for deliberation a petition by the EC to dissolve the TRC for undermining the constitutional monarchy by nominating Princess Ubolratana as its sole prime ministerial candidate.
His Majesty the King's command reaffirmed that members of the royal family are above politics and cannot hold political positions.
Pol Gen Sereepisuth yesterday accused the PPRP of undermining the constitutional monarchy by nominating Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its candidate for prime minister.
Gen Prayut led the May 22, 2014 coup and tore up the 2007 constitution and these should be "grounds enough to be deemed acts of undermining democracy", according to Pol Gen Sereepisuth.
Since the EC spent only three days wrapping up the TRC dissolution case before forwarding it to the Constitutional Court, the former police chief said he expected to see the EC apply the same standards to its handling of the PPRP dissolution case, or else he would have to seek legal action against the EC for dereliction of duty, he said.
Mr Ruangkrai submitted a separate petition to the EC yesterday, citing his own reasons as to why the PPRP should be dissolved.
He said the PPRP should be dissolved for being influenced by an outsider, which is prohibited under Section 28 of the organic law on political parties, since Uttama Savanayana became PPRP leader before he formally obtained party membership.
Mr Ruangkrai also accused the PPRP of failing to clearly explain to the EC its allegedly dubious fundraising dinner back in December and respond to allegations that the event was intended to make a commercial profit.
This should lead to the PPRP being dissolved as stipulated in Section 92 (3) of the organic law on political parties, he said.
Mr Ruangkrai also criticised the EC for making conflicting statements in its petition submitted to the Constitutional Court requesting the dissolution of the TRC.
While the EC stated that Princess Ubolratana was not an eligible prime ministerial candidate, it nevertheless accused the TRC of undermining democracy by nominating her, said Mr Ruangkrai.
TRC leader Preechaphol Pongpanich yesterday remained tight-lipped, saying the party would only speak about the matter in court.
However, despite previously announcing the suspension of all election-related activities, the party has now permitted its election candidates to hold poll rallies, he stated.
Members of the party have been told to avoid speaking about the party dissolution case for fear that the issue could spark political tension in the country, said an informed source.