Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the charges made against Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit on political stability in Thailand.

​We continue to monitor the situation in Thailand following 24 March's elections. I issued a statement welcoming the fact that elections had taken place and highlighting that it was important that any reported irregularities were investigated swiftly, fairly and transparently. I also emphasised that the process of government formation should be conducted in a proper and open manner to reflect what people voted for.

On 6 April our Embassy joined 11 other diplomatic missions in observing Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of the Future Forward Party, attend a police station to hear several charges, including one of sedition. These charges relate to an incident in 2015 and could lead to him facing trial in a military court, despite being a civilian.

The United Kingdom has a long standing position against the use of military courts for civilians, including in Thailand. Observing trials, court hearings, and charges at police stations is normal diplomatic practice, which we and other states follow around the world.

The British Government does not support any Thai political party and believes that the outcome of the election should reflect the will of the Thai people.