Thailand monarchy

Lese majeste laws are irreconcilable with freedom of expression.

An April Fool's tweet referenced the apparently volatile relationship between King Vajiralongkorn and his consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi.

Narin Kulpongsathron is accused of affixing a sticker to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn during a political protest in 2020.

A network led by the ultraroyalist booster Seksakol Atthawong claims the rights group supports the abolition of the Thai monarchy.

"Like a ghost from the past, the decades-old case continues to haunt the Thai monarchy and poses a threat to its stability."

Underlying the movement is a strong desire to reframe what it means to be Thai, moving away from total reliance on the monarchy and military's narrative.

Protesters’ demands remain the same: a constitutional overhaul, new elections and a reform of the monarchy.

Despite rumors of dissent within Prayut Chan-o-cha's coalition, the military is poised to retain its privileged position in Thai politics.

Simmering anti-government sentiment has been compounded by Prayut's failures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

After anti-government demonstrations aired unprecedented criticisms of a powerful institution, the backlash is now in full swing.

The move came as Prime Minister Prayut assumed sweeping new powers to fight the current outbreak of COVID-19.