Can the return of exiled politicians ignite hope for Thai democracy and reshape its political landscape? Thanapat Pekanan argues that Jakrapob Penkair, who recently returned to Thailand after 15 years in exile, could pave the way for the return of political refugees if he could reconcile with the establishment and ensure that the plight of those prosecuted by the royal defamation law is addressed.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organizations Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) and Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) call on Thailand’s Constitutional Court to dismiss the petition to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP) to ensure compliance with the country’s obligations under international human rights law.

The Constitutional Court ruled yesterday (3 April) to accept a petition filed by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) seeking the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the disqualification of its executive board members.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation, a South Korea-based foundation established to remember the spirit of democratic struggle and solidarity during the 18 May 1980 uprising in South Korea, issued a statement today (3 April) demanding the release of activists Anon Nampa and Sirapob Phumpheungphut, both of whom are detained pending appeal on a royal defamation charge.

Student activist Sirapob Phumpheungphut has been found guilty of royal defamation and sentenced to prison over a speech given at a protest on 18 November 2020 about the monarchy’s role in Thai politics.

UN experts said today (25 March) that they are alarmed by the royal defamation sentences against human rights lawyer Anon Nampa. They called on the Thai authorities to overturn Anon's conviction and drop the remaining charges against him and others facing prosecution. The Thai authorities must also bring the Criminal Code in line with international human rights standards and release those sentenced for exercising their rights to freedom of expression.

Activist Parit Chiwarak has been accused of royal defamation for posting a critique of a Constitutional Court ruling that former Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had not violated the constitution by continuing to live in army housing after his retirement.

A 26-year-old netizen has been sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of royal defamation and violation of the Computer-Related Crimes Act for 18 tweets made between December 2022 and October 2023.

Yukti Mukdawijitra, associate professor of anthropology at Thammasat University, writes about his experience in the arraignment room at the South Bangkok Criminal Court after he was indicted on a royal defamation charge filed against him over a tweet from two years ago.

Three activists have been charged with royal defamation and sedition for reading a statement and giving a speech during a protest in November 2021 after a complaint was filed against them by an ultra-royalist group leader.

A Facebook user has been charged with royal defamation over 2 posts from 2022 after an ultra-royalist group’s leader file a complaint against her claiming the posts defame and make fun of the King.

With at least 1,947 people facing prosecution for participating in the pro-democracy movement and 25 people detained pending trial or appeal, a network of civil society organisations is running a campaign to introduce to parliament an amnesty bill for pro-democracy activists and protesters, which they say is the first step towards reconciliation.