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A Thai court dismisses a politician; the partys future is yet unknown.

By - 09 Feb 2024 02:47 AM

Despite avoiding disqualification from politics, a political leader in Thailand who guided his party to an unexpected electoral victory amid concerns of upending the nation's strong conservative establishment is still in doubt about his own and his party's political future.

On Wednesday, Pita Limjaroenrat, 43, was found not guilty of violating election laws by running for office while owning stock in a media company, the now-defunct broadcaster iTV, according to a case dismissed by Thailand's Constitutional Court.Parliamentarians are not permitted to own stock in media companies under Thai law.

Pita was granted a majority decision by eight of the nine judges on the panel, stating that he had not broken the constitution because iTV had not been in operation since 2007, prior to his application for the party-list candidacy.

This decision is one of two much awaited rulings against Pita and the progressive Move Forward Party that may lead to the dissolution of Thailand's most successful party in the most recent election, as well as the imposition of bans and criminal charges against its leaders.

Pita told reporters outside the courtroom following Wednesday's verdict that he will keep working for the people and that he hopes to return to his parliamentary duties "as soon as possible."

I'll be there whenever I'm permitted entry," he declared.

Cheering "PM Pita," a reference to his candidacy for prime minister, supporters outside the court declared that justice had been served. While some carried signs that said, "We will always support the party," others made fun of the Election Commission for bringing the matter before the judge.

Bangkok resident Supravee Sansuk, 63, said she is once again confident in the Thai legal system as a result of the outcome.

"I was concerned that the decision would go the other way. I was therefore ecstatic to hear the good news. Pita was innocent from the start, and the court shouldn't have been notified of this case,