A newly elected progressive Thai lawmaker is sentenced to 6 years for defaming the monarchy
1 year ago

A newly elected progressive Thai lawmaker is sentenced to 6 years for defaming the monarchy

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — A court in Thailand convicted and sentenced a recently elected lawmaker Wednesday to six years in prison for defaming the monarchy under a controversial law that guards the royal institution. Human Rights Watch decried the ruling, saying it “violated her rights to freedom of expression protected under international human rights law.” Rukchanok Srinork arrived for her court hearing in the capital, Bangkok, as her fellow lawmakers were convening in Parliament. “The prosecution of an opposition member of parliament for two tweets is not only an appalling violation of free expression, but sends a chilling message to other outspoken opposition party members to keep silent,” Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said Thursday in an emailed statement. The advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights says that since early 2020, more than 200 people — many of them student activists — have been charged with violating Article 112.

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History of this topic

Thai dissident jailed for two more years over royal defamation
3 weeks ago

Thai dissident jailed for two more years over royal defamation

Raw Story  

One of Thailand's most prominent human rights activists was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday under the kingdom's royal defamation law, his fifth conviction on the controversial charges, a legal rights group said. Thailand has some of the world's strictest royal defamation laws, which shield King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family from criticism and which opponents say have …

Royal defamation in Thailand: Political and legal flashpoint
5 months, 1 week ago

Royal defamation in Thailand: Political and legal flashpoint

Hindustan Times  

Over the past two decades, Thailand's political landscape has been characterised by significant turmoil and instability, marked by frequent changes in leadership, military coups, and contentious legal battles involving prominent political figures. The interplay of political power, legal controversies, and public dissent has created a complex and often volatile environment, reflecting the deep-rooted challenges in establishing a stable and democratic …

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin is in trouble again as he’s indicted for royal defamation
6 months ago

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin is in trouble again as he’s indicted for royal defamation

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was indicted and arraigned Tuesday on a charge of defaming the country’s monarchy in one of several court cases that have rattled Thai politics. His case is just one of the several that have complicated Thai politics since the Pheu Thai government took office after the Senate — a conservative, military-appointed body …

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted for royal defamation, prosecutors say
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted for royal defamation, prosecutors say

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Thai prosecutors said Wednesday former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted for defaming the monarchy, three months after he was freed on parole on other charges. The attorney general’s office scheduled a new appointment for Thaksin’s indictment on June 18, Prayuth said, adding that Thaksin will also be indicted for violating the Computer Crime Act. Thaksin’s return …

Former Thailand PM Thaksin Shinawatra to go on trial for royal insult
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Former Thailand PM Thaksin Shinawatra to go on trial for royal insult

Al Jazeera  

The case relates to an interview the billionaire politician gave to South Korean media while in self-imposed exile in 2015. Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned home last year after 15 years in exile, will go on trial next month on charges of insulting the monarchy. Prayuth Pecharakun, a spokesman for Thailand’s attorney general, said 74-year-old Thaksin would …

A Thai court sentences an opposition lawmaker to 2 years in prison for defaming the monarchy
6 months, 3 weeks ago

A Thai court sentences an opposition lawmaker to 2 years in prison for defaming the monarchy

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — A Thai court on Monday sentenced a lawmaker from a progressive opposition party to two years in prison after finding her guilty of defaming the monarchy in a speech she made during a protest rally three years ago. Chonthicha Jangrew of the Move Forward Party was greeted by several supporters when she arrived at the Thanyaburi Provincial Court …

Thailand's Move Forward Party set to be disbanded over concerns lese majeste policy threatened monarchy
9 months, 1 week ago

Thailand's Move Forward Party set to be disbanded over concerns lese majeste policy threatened monarchy

ABC  

In short: Thailand's Election Commission has decided to ask the country's Constitutional Court to dissolve the political party Move Forward, which won the most seats at last year's general election. Thailand's Election Commission has decided to ask the country's Constitutional Court to dissolve the political party Move Forward, which won the most seats at last year's general election. Thailand's most …

2 Thai Journalists Arrested for Covering Anti-Monarchist Temple Vandalism
10 months, 3 weeks ago

2 Thai Journalists Arrested for Covering Anti-Monarchist Temple Vandalism

The Diplomat  

The pair were charged as “accomplices” to an incident last March in which an activist spray-painted an anti-royalist message inside Bangkok’s Grand Palace. Prachatai, an independent online newspaper, told the AFP news agency that its reporter Nuttaphol Meksobhon was arrested as an “accomplice” to the incident last March, in which a man spray-painted an anarchist symbol and the number 112 …

Thai court rules MFP bid to reform lese majeste law violates constitution
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Thai court rules MFP bid to reform lese majeste law violates constitution

Al Jazeera  

Constitutional Court says Move Forward Party proposal to amend royal defamation law amounted to attempt to ‘overthrow the monarchy’. The reformist Move Forward Party finished first in last year’s election on a progressive platform that included a proposal to amend the lese majeste law that outraged Thailand’s conservative elite. The court’s ruling could set a precedent for any future review …

Thailand court sentences activist to 50 years in prison for insulting monarchy on Facebook
11 months ago

Thailand court sentences activist to 50 years in prison for insulting monarchy on Facebook

ABC  

A court of appeals in Thailand has handed a political activist a record sentence of 50 years in prison for insulting the monarchy. Key points: Activist Mongkhon Thirakot was found guilty of 25 violations relating to posts on Facebook insulting the monarchy The offence known as lèse-majesté carries a prison term of three to 15 years for each count Critics …

A court of appeals in Thailand hands an activist a 50-year prison term for insulting the monarchy
11 months ago

A court of appeals in Thailand hands an activist a 50-year prison term for insulting the monarchy

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — A court of appeals in Thailand has handed a political activist what is believed to be a record sentence for the criminal offense of insulting the monarchy, giving him a 50-year prison term after finding him guilty of 25 violations of the law, a lawyers’ group said Thursday. Mongkhon was found guilty by the Northern Region court of …

Thai democracy activist sentenced to more jail time for ‘royal insults’
11 months, 1 week ago

Thai democracy activist sentenced to more jail time for ‘royal insults’

Al Jazeera  

Lawyer Arnon Nampa is already serving a four-year sentence for comments about the monarchy made at a rally in 2020. A court in Thailand has sentenced a jailed activist and lawyer to four more years in prison for royal insults from a 2021 social media post, his lawyer said. Arnon Nampa, 39, was handed the four-year sentence on Wednesday in …

Thai MP sentenced to six years for insulting monarchy
1 year ago

Thai MP sentenced to six years for insulting monarchy

Al Jazeera  

Move Forward Party MP Rukchanok Srinork, 29, was sentenced to prison time for posts deemed defamatory to the crown. A Thai activist-turned-lawmaker has been sentenced to six years in prison for insulting the country’s powerful monarchy on social media. Move Forward Party MP Rukchanok Srinork was sentenced on Wednesday over a series of posts that a judge deemed defamatory to …

Thailand's new government has dashed hopes for reform of the country's lese-majeste law — but experts say it's only a temporary setback
1 year, 2 months ago

Thailand's new government has dashed hopes for reform of the country's lese-majeste law — but experts say it's only a temporary setback

ABC  

The conviction and sentencing of a human rights lawyer and activist last week under Thailand's lese-majeste law — the first since the country's new government took office — has left those pushing for reform of the law dismayed. Mr Akarachai said the lese-majeste law did not even get a mention in new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's policy statement delivered last …

Prominent Thai human rights lawyer accused of insulting the king receives a 4-year prison term
1 year, 2 months ago

Prominent Thai human rights lawyer accused of insulting the king receives a 4-year prison term

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — A prominent Thai human rights lawyer was convicted on Tuesday of insulting the monarchy and sentenced to four years in prison, the first conviction under a controversial law guarding the royal institution since a civilian government took office after years of military-backed rule. Arnon, 39, still faces 13 more cases under the lese majeste law, which makes insulting …

Activist who called for royal reform jailed for four years in Thailand
1 year, 2 months ago

Activist who called for royal reform jailed for four years in Thailand

Al Jazeera  

Anon Nampa was arrested in 2020 after making the call for change during mass anti-government protests. A court in Thailand has jailed activist and lawyer Anon Nampa for four years after he made a taboo-breaking call for royal reform during protests three years ago. On Tuesday, Bangkok’s Criminal Court also imposed a fine of 20,000 Thai baht on Anon for …

Thai teen detained for ‘insulting’ monarchy released after 50 days
1 year, 7 months ago

Thai teen detained for ‘insulting’ monarchy released after 50 days

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai was arrested on 28 March for …

Thai man who sold calendars with yellow ducks jailed for mocking the monarchy
1 year, 9 months ago

Thai man who sold calendars with yellow ducks jailed for mocking the monarchy

ABC  

A Thai man has been sentenced to two years in prison for selling calendars featuring satirical cartoons of yellow ducks that a court said mocked the country's monarch. Key points: The court ruled the calendar containing pictures of yellow ducks in poses resembled and ridiculed Thailand's king Human Rights Watch called for Thai authorities to quash the sentence and release …

Thai court jails activist for 28 years jail for royal defamation
1 year, 10 months ago

Thai court jails activist for 28 years jail for royal defamation

The Hindu  

A Thai court sentenced a man to 28 years in prison for insulting the monarchy in online posts, his lawyer said Thursday. A court in the northern city of Chiang Rai found Mongkol Tirakote, 29, an online clothing vendor and activist, guilty in two separate royal defamation cases. Mongkol also faces a third, separate royal defamation charge over online posts …

‘Repression breeds defiance’: Thai activists unbowed by detention
2 years, 8 months ago

‘Repression breeds defiance’: Thai activists unbowed by detention

Al Jazeera  

Thailand’s political dissidents shattered taboos by calling for reform of the monarchy and not being deterred by jail time. “I talked to Anon and Penguin everyday, we talked politics and about how we need to correct the justice system,” Mike told Al Jazeera, referring to Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak, another prominent Thai activist who has also been recently released on bail. …

Thai opposition party pushes to amend royal insult law
3 years, 10 months ago

Thai opposition party pushes to amend royal insult law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Thai opposition party on …

Thai court gives record 43-year sentence for insulting king
3 years, 11 months ago

Thai court gives record 43-year sentence for insulting king

The Hindu  

A court in Thailand on Tuesday sentenced a former civil servant to a record prison term of 43 years and six months for breaching the country’s strict law on insulting or defaming the monarchy, lawyers said. The Bangkok Criminal Court found the woman guilty on 29 counts of violating the country’s lese majeste law for posting audio clips to Facebook …

Thai court hands out record 43-year jail term for insulting king
3 years, 11 months ago

Thai court hands out record 43-year jail term for insulting king

Al Jazeera  

Woman sentenced for posting audio clips to Facebook and YouTube with comments deemed critical of the monarchy. A court in Thailand has sentenced a former civil servant to a record prison term of 43 years and six months for breaching the country’s strict law on insulting or defaming the monarchy. The Bangkok Criminal Court on Tuesday found the woman guilty …

Thai Activists Stage Crop Top Protest to Stand in Solidarity With Those Facing Royal Insult Charges
4 years ago

Thai Activists Stage Crop Top Protest to Stand in Solidarity With Those Facing Royal Insult Charges

News 18  

Some of Thailand’s highest profile protest leaders dressed in crop tops and paraded at a Bangkok shopping mall on Sunday in a jibe against King Maha Vajiralongkorn to demand the repeal of the law against insulting the monarchy. Among at least 35 activists currently facing charges under the lese majeste law is 16-year-old Napasin Trirayapiwat, who wore a crop top …

Thailand’s pro-democracy protesters warn of possible coup
4 years ago

Thailand’s pro-democracy protesters warn of possible coup

The Hindu  

Pro-democracy demonstrators in Thailand, undeterred by arrest warrants and the possibility of violent attacks, held another rally, poking fun at their critics and warning of the possibility of a military coup. The protest movement’s core demands are for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government to step down, the constitution to be amended to be more democratic, and the monarchy …

Thailand’s lese majeste law: A weapon to silence dissent?
4 years, 2 months ago

Thailand’s lese majeste law: A weapon to silence dissent?

Al Jazeera  

Since the 2014 coup, more than 90 people have been prosecuted under the lese majeste law and at least 43 of them have been sentenced. So, what is Thailand’s lese majeste law, and is it being used by the government to silence dissent? According to a Bangkok Post report, since Prayuth led a coup in 2014, more than 90 people …

I had to do it: Student leader defies Thailand's royal taboo
4 years, 3 months ago

I had to do it: Student leader defies Thailand's royal taboo

India Today  

When university student Rung calmly read out 10 demands to reform Thailand's monarchy before thousands of protesters at a pro-democracy rally this month, she defied the country's biggest political taboo. But 21-year-old Rung -- real name Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul -- said the August 10 protest at Thammasat University outside Bangkok was "the right time" to ask for change, even though she …

In Thailand, A 21-Year-Old Student Dares To Tackle A Taboo Subject
4 years, 4 months ago

In Thailand, A 21-Year-Old Student Dares To Tackle A Taboo Subject

NPR  

In Thailand, A 21-Year-Old Student Dares To Tackle A Taboo Subject Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Sullivan/NPR Michael Sullivan/NPR On Aug. 10, 21-year-old student Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul's life changed forever. That's the night she took to the stage at a rally at Thammasat University outside Bangkok and read a 10-point manifesto aimed at reform of Thailand's politically powerful monarchy — …

Anon Nampa, the Bookish Human Rights Lawyer Who Became the Face of Bangkok Protests
4 years, 4 months ago

Anon Nampa, the Bookish Human Rights Lawyer Who Became the Face of Bangkok Protests

News 18  

The deafening cheer for Anon Nampa at Thailand’s biggest demonstration in years underlined the bookish human rights lawyer’s emergence at the forefront of a youth protest movement with his taboo-breaking call for reforms to the monarchy. “But once he gets the microphone and gets on stage or starts working, he becomes a different, serious person.” Although the protest movement has …

What is behind Thai protesters’ calls for monarchy reform?
4 years, 4 months ago

What is behind Thai protesters’ calls for monarchy reform?

Al Jazeera  

Angry demonstrators break the taboo of criticising the king. Anti-government protesters led by students are attracting different sectors of Thai society. Sunday saw one of the largest protests since the military seized power in the latest coup six years ago. As well as changes to the constitution and an end to the intimidation of political activists, some are calling for …

Thailand protesters openly criticise monarchy of King Maha
4 years, 4 months ago

Thailand protesters openly criticise monarchy of King Maha

Al Jazeera  

Student protesters dressed like fictional wizard characters gather in Bangkok to call for curbs on king’s power. Reform on ‘lese majeste’ law Two student groups then read out demands that started with: “Cancelling and reforming the laws that expand the power of the monarch and that could impinge on democracy where the king is the head of state.” The Royal …

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