Opposition Appeals Speaker's Rejection of Anti-Junta Legacy Bill
Thailand's opposition leader and lawmakers received a citizen petition with nearly 60,000 signatures appealing the House Speaker's rejection of a bill to erase the October 6 junta's legacy and reduce lèse-majesté penalties. The Speaker dismissed the bill on constitutional grounds, but petitioners plan to challenge the ruling in court. The opposition argues the decision blocks democratic legislative process and vows to pursue all legal avenues to force parliamentary debate on the proposed reforms.
At 2:40 p.m. on November 10, 2026, at Parliament, opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, alongside People's Party MPs and Senator Dejrit Maneechai in his capacity as spokesperson for the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection, accepted a petition from citizens led by Suthat Suriyamongkol. The petition appeals the House Speaker's ruling that rejected a draft law to erase the legacy of the October 6 coup junta, which had garnered 59,503 signatures and proposed eliminating criminal penalties in multiple articles, particularly amending Article 112 from a maximum seven-year prison term to 3-15 years.
Suthat stated that citizens proposed the bill to cleanse the junta's legacy, but the Speaker dismissed it on grounds it did not meet Constitutional Section 3 criteria on people's liberties, viewing it as a matter for the House to consider openly rather than for the Speaker to unilaterally decide. If the Speaker does not reconsider, citizens plan to pursue legal avenues, including filing an Administrative Court case to review the ruling's legality.
Suthat added that the country has reached a point where democracy exists, and they will not allow laws created by a junta using guns to continue oppressing people. Under democracy, they must review whether the junta's actions were correct, through parliamentary process not guns or tanks, letting Parliament decide how to proceed with the draft.
Natthaphong said the People's Party opposes the Speaker's use of authority and has sent a letter requesting reconsideration, awaiting a response before deciding next steps.
Dejrit noted the bill aims to repeal the October legacy, which increased negligence penalties, yet was rejected citing non-compliance with Constitutional Sections 3 (liberties) or 5 (state duties), instead classifying it under Section 6 (state policies). He views the penalty increase as restricting liberties in punishment, thus relating to rights and judicial administration, which could fall under state policy. He urged the Speaker, who champions public participation, to interpret the bill in favor of citizens and allow MPs and senators to deliberate rather than block it.
Nathnaree Phumphuak, a campaigner to abolish the junta's legacy, confirmed that the Secretariat's claim of rejection due to incorrect submission forms was inaccurate, citing the response letter received by signatories.
