lese majeste laws

Thai prosecutors dropped royal defamation charges on Thursday against an American scholar accused of insulting the monarchy over an article published on a political website. The Thai army, a staunch defender of the monarchy, filed the complaint over a short blurb posted on a political think tank website this year.

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 and YouTube with comments deemed critical of the monarchy, the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said.

Thailand's constitutional court will consider a case against the opposition Move Forward Party, which won the 2023 elections with strong youth support. The case involves their proposal to amend the lese majeste law, which has faced criticism and previously led to the dissolution of their predecessor party.

A Thai court sentenced a lawmaker from the progressive Move Forward Party to six years in jail on royal insult charges. Rukchanok Srinork, a prominent figure who campaigned for the May election by riding a bike around Bangkok, was found guilty of lese majeste and breaching the Computer Crimes Act. The court granted bail to Rukchanok with a 500,000 baht security. Thailand's strict lese-majeste legislation and the Computer Crimes Act have been criticized for restricting free speech.

Thailand's progressive Move Forward Party, which won this year's election but was shut out of government, said Monday it was confident about a court case probing campaign pledges to reform royal insult laws. MFP won most seats in the May poll, but then-leader Pita Limjaroenrat was blocked from becoming prime minister by conservative forces in the upper house of parliament. The party's vow to reform Thailand's tough lese-majeste laws spooked the largely royalist, pro-military senate, whose members were appointed by the last junta.

After police arrested a number of prominent political activists Thursday, a government spokesman said charges will be pressed against those who obstructed a royal motorcade a day earlier and anyone who had acted "in a way that defames the monarchy".

Two Thai journalists were arrested and charged with damaging a historical site and public vandalism for their coverage of an activist spray painting symbols critical of lese majeste laws. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that the government is fair on freedom of the press and it is up to the police to determine what is appropriate.

Thai political activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom, a member of the anti-monarchy group Thaluwang, died in custody after being on a partial hunger strike during her pre-trial detention. She faced multiple court cases, including lese majeste violations, and was supported by the legal aid group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The cause of her sudden death is under investigation by Thammasat University hospital. Netiporn's refusal of food and water was a protest related to political activists not being granted bail. She received medical attention at a prison hospital after her health deteriorated. The article was reported by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat, with editing by John Mair.

Under section 112 of Thailand's penal code, anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening the king, queen, heir or regent faces between three and 15 years in prison on each count.

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra testified in court on Wednesday, seeking to defend himself against royal defamation charges in a watershed case for his faltering political dynasty. But his prosecution -- combined with the suspension of his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, this month -- represents a dramatic waning of their family's political fortune, analysts say.

Several hundred then marched to Parliament, which is due to vote on several amendments to the constitution. The proposed changes, however, fall far short of those sought by the protesters, which include restoring more power to political parties and elected office holders.

The demonstrators, who numbered close to 1,000, managed to break through a barrier made of shipping containers outside the ceremonial palace stacked two high. Police behind the containers responded first with warnings and then by shooting water cannons and rubber bullets. Police drove the crowd back and while skirmishes continued, the crowds appeared to have dissipated by 10 PM.

Demonstrators from Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement held a peaceful protest Saturday outside Bangkok's Criminal Court to bring public attention to the plight of several of their detained leaders. The movement, a coalition of several groups, was launched last year with demands for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government to step down, the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic and the monarchy to be reformed to make it more accountable.

Pita Limjaroenrat, a Harvard graduate and corporate leader, is a new face in Thailand's political landscape who unexpectedly achieved a majority in the election, positioning himself to be the next prime minister. Pita, a charismatic father of one, has garnered a rockstar level of enthusiasm from his supporters by leveraging his youth and vitality to connect with disillusioned voters seeking change after over eight years of military-backed government.

Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree of the Free Youth Group and his partner Panumas Singprom were arrested at their residence in Nonthaburi province on the outskirts of Bangkok and taken to a police station.

Hong Kong and Thailand have both seen their streets filled with protesters daring to take on an entrenched political elite, and to discuss once-taboo subjects in their push for greater freedoms.

Thailand's political landscape shifts as acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai seeks to dissolve parliament after the People's Party, the largest opposition bloc, declared support for Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister. This move follows the ousting of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the People's Party demand for fresh elections within four months.