Tag
Thailand lese majeste
Lèse-majesté Abolition Push Is Gaining Ground in Thailand
By David Hutt
In the May election, a significant number of Thais are expected to vote for a party that has spoken about the need to reform – or even abolish – the lèse-majesté law.
Thailand’s Lese-Majeste Cases Are a Travesty of Justice
By Kevin Bell
Courts are trying political activists for insulting the country's king, while sidestepping any discussion about what they actually said and whether it was true.
Thai Man Imprisoned For Selling ‘Yellow Duck’ Calendars
By Sebastian Strangio
The cartoon images of the duck, a symbol of the country's pro-democracy movement, were said to mock the Thai king.
Thai Activists Hospitalized After Hunger Strike Over Royal Defamation Cases
By Sebastian Strangio
Tantawan Tuatulanon and Orawan Phuphong demanded that a judge revoke their bail in solidarity with other activists facing lese-majeste charges.
Will Thailand Ever Repeal Its Archaic Lese Majeste Law?
By Sebastian Strangio
An exiled Thai professor talks about his campaign to abolish the controversial law, which criminalizes criticisms of the country's monarchy.
Thai Political Activist Jailed for Mocking, Impersonating Queen
By Sebastian Strangio
Jatuporn Saeoueng was convicted of insulting Queen Suthida by impersonating her at a demonstration in October 2020.
How Lese Majeste Laws Are Eroding Free Speech in Southeast Asia
By Samantha Holmes
Lese majeste laws are irreconcilable with freedom of expression.
Leading Thai Opposition Figure Charged With Royal Defamation
By Sebastian Strangio
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul is the second former leader of the banned Future Forward Party to be charged under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
Thai Opposition Figure Charged With Royal Defamation, Cyber Crimes
By Sebastian Strangio
The head of the disbanded Future Forward Party criticized the government for contracting a royal-owned firm to supply COVID-19 vaccines.
Airline Apologizes for Tweet Poking Fun at Thailand’s King
By Sebastian Strangio
An April Fool's tweet referenced the apparently volatile relationship between King Vajiralongkorn and his consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi.
Thai Activist Sentenced to 2 Years Prison for Defaming King
By Sebastian Strangio
Narin Kulpongsathron is accused of affixing a sticker to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn during a political protest in 2020.
Is Thailand’s Buddhist Sangha Undergoing a Political Sea Change?
By Christian Kurzydlowski
The Thai Buddhist order has long helped to legitimize and prop up the prevailing monarchical order.