Thai alliance signs pact aimed at ambitious reforms but not on royal insult law

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat poses with coalition party leaders for a photo following a meeting with coalition partners in Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

BANGKOK (Reuters) - An alliance led by Thailand's progressive Move Forward party on Monday signed an ambitious agreement to draft a new constitution, end monopolies and allow same-sex marriage, among other aims, but made no mention of a divisive royal insult law.

The opposition Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties dominated last week's election in a resounding defeat of conservative parties backed by a royalist military that has controlled government since a 2014 coup.