The Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Court yesterday (7 February) dismissed a royal defamation charge filed against a 21-year-old graphic designer over a protest sign on the grounds that the message on the sign does not constitute an offense under the royal defamation law.

The Constitutional Court ruled today (31 January) that the Move Forward Party and its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat abused their constitutional rights and liberties in a bid to overthrow the democratic regime with the King as the Head of State by campaigning to amend the royal defamation law.

Three human rights organizations have condemned the conviction of activist Mongkhon Thirakot, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison for royal defamation and demand the immediate release of Mongkhon and other detained activists. They also endorsed the call for the repeal of the royal defamation, or lèse-majesté, law.

A 28-year-old activist has been charged with royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crime Act over a Facebook photo of a man holding pieces of paper with profanities in front of a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn.

A 30-year-old activist from Chiang Rai has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for royal defamation after the Appeal Court ruled to increase the sentence given to him by the Chiang Rai Provincial Court.

Human rights lawyer and activist Anon Nampa has been sentenced to 4 years in prison on a royal defamation charge for 3 Facebook posts criticizing the use of the royal defamation law against critics of the monarchy and calling for monarchy reform.

Protests took place last week in Chiang Mai’s old town to show support for detained human rights lawyer Anon Nampa and demand the release of activists and protesters detained on charges relating to political expression.

The Chiang Rai Provincial Court has dismissed charges against former activist Supreeya Jaikaew on the grounds that the message on the banner she was accused of placing did not constitute an offence under the royal defamation law.

The Criminal Court today (21 December) dismissed a royal defamation charge filed against online influencer Aniwat Prathumthin, also known by the internet alias “Nara Crepe Katoei”, for video advertisements o the online shopping platform Lazada.

Former pro-democracy activist and protest leader Shinawat Chankrajang has been sentenced to 3 years in prison on a royal defamation charge over a speech he gave at a protest in December 2020. He has been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison as his family was immediately unable to post bail for him.

The conviction of Move Forward Party MP Rukchanok Srinork for royal defamation charge was a violation of freedom of expression and sends a message to opposition party members to keep silent, says Human Rights Watch, who call for such use of the justice system to silence opposition lawmakers to be taken in account by countries being asked to consider Thailand’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council.