Statement

Regarding witness summons order on Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Mr. Klaikong Waithayakarn, and Ms. Jaruwan Saranket in the case The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) with Col. Burin Thongpraphai acting in the capacity of attorney as the accuser versus the administrator of Facebook Page “อนาคตใหม่ – The Future We Want” and company, dated 16 July 2018, and the case The National Council for Peace and Order with Col. Burin Thongpraphai acting in the capacity of attorney as the accuser versus the administrator of Facebook Page “Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit – ธนาธร จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ” and company, dated 16 July 2018, to testify at 3rd sub-division of the Technological Crime Suppression Division on 23 July 2018 at 10.00, afterward the attorney acting on behalf of Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Mr. Klaikong Waithayakarn, and Ms. Jaruwan Saranket (hereafter Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and company) met inquiry official, in respect to the summons order, and requested deferment of the inquiry to 31 July 2018 at 11.00. The inquiry official granted the deferment. On 31 July 2018 at 10.00 Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and company met the inquiry official and acknowledged the accusations against them in which Col.Burin Thongpraphai, acting in the capacity of the attorney of the National Council

On June 23, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the co-founder of the Future Forward Party visited Uttaradit province to survey local economic and political issues and to meet its people, with the finding of local farmers’ problems on land and produce price. A little while after the party’s visit, Phisit Wongthong, a supporter of the party – who by then also chairs Deputy Chief Executive of the SAO (Subdistrict Administrative Organizations) of the Nam Phi subdistrict – was accused by his organisation of violating the law when participating in the political gathering. As a result, Phisit decided to resign from his position in order that the organisation might run as usual without him. He nevertheless insisted that his participation in the process of representing the voice of local people is a legitimate exercise of civil rights and freedom that should not be intimidated by the state itself.   We would like to remark here that Phisit’s case is not the first and the only instance of how a supporter of the Future Forward is menaced by state officers. We firmly insist hereby that the procedure of hearing local people’s voice and surveying their issues is a creative practice for democratic political parties, while

On May 27, 2018 a meeting to found the Future Forward Party was held at the Rangsit campus of Thammasat University where over 700 participants have attended to approve the party’s core values, principles, policy, and rules and to elect its first executive committee according to the legal procedures. The procedure in the meeting was a realization of the practice of democratic participation and decentralization policy, which is a core policy of the party. Thus, founding members from across the country have gathered in the event, including representatives from labor and youth networks of the party.    In addition, a public session was held in the afternoon, in which took place a manifestation of party’s core values and party lines and a staging of vision forum for party’s leaders and representatives. The session attracted around 3,000 participants from varied backgrounds and demographic groups, while a number of approximately 160,000 views of online audiences – counting both live broadcast and archived views – on party’s FB page have been reached. For us, this is a sign showing people’s interest to have a participation in our party and we indeed feel greatly honoured. However, apart from an appearance of regular patrol police,

On 27 May 2018, the first chapter of the history of the Future Forward Party was written. Over 700 founding members across the country ranging from network representatives from the central, northern, northeastern, and southern regions, to labour groups, and New Gen Network, attended the constituent meeting of the Future Forward Party to agree upon the party’s regulations, core values, and policy framework, as well as to elect the party’s executive committee. The ultimate goal of the Future Forward Party is to build a new future, one that adheres to democracy, upholds human rights principles, respects human dignity, establishes an equal society, and encourages a progressive and creative economy. As a people’s party, we extended our invitation to the general public, diplomats from 15 countries, and representatives from the EU and UN to witness our first gathering. The Future Forward Party are determined to reform Thai politics on three pillars: Constructive politics – we embrace competitions based on ideologies and policies, offer progressive policies based on economic and political decentralisation, and equalise access to resources and capitals for all. Non-monopolised ownership party – all members partake in the ownership by co-funding and participating in decision making process and policy setting.

Between May 21-22, 2018 the group of pro-democracy activists ‘Start Up People’ held a rally calling for general elections within 2018 and for the NPCO to step down from the power after having taken control of the country for four years since the 2014 coup. The participants gathered in Thammasat University since the evening of May 21 and started to march to the Government House on May 22. However, they had been blocked and forced to retreat by police force until the organizers finally had to call the demonstration to a halt nearby Makhawanrangsan bridge where 15 demonstrators have been arrested by the police and have been filed a number of charges by the NPCO itself, including that of violating the NPCO Order No.3/2558 (3/2015) under which political gathering of five persons or more is strictly prohibited. Until now those under arrest are still detained at Phayathai Police Station and Chanasongkram Police Station since the evening of May 22.   According to this, we – as the founding members of the Future Forward Party – would like to state our opinion that we deem the rally to be a non-violence and peaceful demonstration and as a legitimate mean to express

Regarding the article 5. in the National Council for Peace and Order Chief’s Order No. 53/2560 “The Procedures according to the Organic Law on Political Parties” which reads “In order to allow newly established political parties to organise their administration and political campaigns alongside existing parties, people who want to found a new political party, in regard to Section 1. in the organic law on Political Parties, may register their party since 1 March 2018. Nonetheless, a meeting to found a new political party, according to the article 10., must seek permission or be under regulations form NCPO.” Afterward, on 2 March 2018 the Election Commission declared party registration open. The founding members of Future Forward Party submitted documents for registration on 15 March 2018 and the registrar confirmed the submission on the same day. On 9 April 2018 the organising committee of Future Forward Party submitted request to hold a meeting for founding the party. By 27 May 2018, there has yet been any response. We, the organising committee, have some remarks on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s exercise of power. 1. The meeting, according to the Organic Law on Political Parties, is an obligation to