The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has ordered an investigation into 44 former MPs of the now-defunct Move Forward Party (MFP) who signed an agreement to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law. The probe will take about six months.
NACC secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol said yesterday that the NACC, through initial fact-finding, found there were grounds for the allegation against 44 former MFP MPs who were already found guilty by the Constitutional Court on Jan 31 of an intention to undermine the constitutional monarchy.
Further steps, Mr Niwatchai said, include gathering evidence and notifying the accused of the charges, so they have a chance to present their arguments.
After this, the case will be summarised, and the NACC will decide if their conduct was unethical.
Mr Niwatchai said it is hard to specify the investigation timeframe as not all of the MPs are ready to provide information to the NACC.
The NACC also needs to question other individuals, including representatives from parliament who were involved in or aware of the proposed amendments, to learn about their intentions.
He added that the law allows for an extended timeframe for the accused to present their argument based on necessity, such as illness if they cannot be present when called.
Mr Niwatchai believes the probe will take around six months.
He said that although it might not be necessary for every one of the 44 MPs to be present, the NACC would request explanations from all of them.
In response to speculation that the NACC might pass the case directly to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions, Mr Niwatchai said it was the NACC's duty to study the evidence and verify if there are grounds to the case before submitting it to the court.
The NACC secretary-general reiterated that one of the NACC's ethical principles is to protect the sovereignty and security of the governance system with the King as the head of state.
If found guilty by the Supreme Court, these 44 MPs, including Pita Limjaroenrat and the leader of the People's Party Natthaphong Ruengpanyawat, among others, will face mandatory life banishment from politics.