Two MPs of the Move Forward Party accused of sexual harassment face punishments by the party’s executive board, with one being expelled and the other put on probation.
In a press conference late Wednesday night, Move Forward party leader Chaithawat Thulathon said a meeting was attended by 128 members of the party’s executive board and an internal probe had ruled that two of its MPs, Wuttiphong Thonglour and Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit, had committed sexual offenses.
The meeting voted to expel the MPs, which required three-quarters of members’ votes (116).
Wuttiphong, a Prachin Buri MP, received 120 votes from a possible 128, resulting in his expulsion from the party. Chaiyamphawan, a Bangkok MP, received only 106, which is below the 116 needed to get him expelled. He remains in the party but on probation, and his rights within the party are invalid.
The party also demanded that Chaiyamphawan must admit his wrongdoing and apologize for his misconduct to the victim. He denied all the allegations levied against him yesterday, saying that he
Should Chaiyamphawan refuse accountability, another meeting will be held between Move Forward’s executive members.
As a response, several of Move Forward’s female MPs have changed their profile pictures to black in protest against the party’s decision to keep Chaiyamphawan.
Move Forward MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn also posted a all-black image on social media with the caption calling for Chaiyamphawan to resign. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, former sec-gen of the dissolved Future Forward part, said that the two members need to come forward and admit accountability as it tarnishes the image of the Move Forward party. He deemed the punishments as too light.
The party said it had set up a special committee chaired by deputy member Bencha Saengchantra, who will enforce stricter measures in addressing sexual misconduct within the party.
Move Forward, while regarded as the party that would change Thailand’s political landscape due to their progressive policies and consisting of young liberal members including its charismatic former leader Pita Limjaroenrat, has been the subject of scrutiny and criticism after its members have been accused of sexual harassment towards women.
Last month, the party expelled Kriangkrai Jankokphueng, an MP candidate from Chaiyaphum province. Bangkok MP Sirin Sanguansin was stripped of all rights within the party and banned from running any post within the party after he was accused of physically assaulting a woman he had been dating.
The woman, who posted the allegation on social media along with photos of bruises across her body and face, filed a complaint with police in Chonburi before dropping charges against him
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former Move Forward leader who won the people’s vote as the next Prime Minister before being promptly banned by the military-backed senate from running, had also faced controversy in the past.
His marriage to actress Chutima Teepanart was the subject of much media focus. Chutima alleged that Pita had been abusive during their marriage, going so far as to file a lawsuit against him for physical abuse. The family court dismissed the lawsuit, and Chutima has since downplayed the allegations.
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