Musician Chokdee “Alex” Rompruk and citizen reporter Waranya “Nui” Sae-ngo have been found guilty of royal defamation and given a suspended prison sentence of 4 years for singing two songs by the protest band Faiyen during a protest on 23 August 2022.

A pro-democracy activist has been sentenced to prison for royal defamation after posting on Facebook a message questioning King Vajiralongkorn.

The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT)’s regulations preventing senate candidates from publicly introducing themselves has led to lawsuits and concerns that it would limit public participation in the election.

Thai singer and TV personality Suthipongse ‘Heart’ Thatphithakkul has been indicted on charges of royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. The charges were filed against him for Facebook posts he wrote in 2020 criticising the government’s Covid-19 vaccine policy.

A Thai stand-up comedian has been charged with royal defamation for allegedly defamatory references during his recent stand-up comedy performance to the sufficient economy concept, a development approach associated with the late King Bhumibol.

On World Press Freedom Day, Prachatai and UNESCO organised a panel discussion on Press Freedom in Thailand after the NCPO Junta and the Next Step towards Protection, to reflect on the deterioration in global press freedom and the problem of the justice system being used to silence the media, especially in Thailand.

Activists staged a protest in front of the US Consulate in Chiang Mai on Saturday (4 May) to demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, student organisations issued a statement in solidarity with US students protesting against the war in Gaza.

The Supreme Administrative Court has accepted an appeal filed by the National Environment Board (NEB) against a ruling made by the Chiang Mai Administrative Court ordering the NEB to complete an air pollution management plan.

A 66-year-old experienced diplomat, Maris Sangiampongsa, has been endorsed as the new Foreign Minister following the unexpected resignation of the former Foreign Minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara.

After 15 years of operation, Voice TV announced last Friday (26 April) that it will close down by 31 May.

Led by activists from the Bad Students group, concerned students have filed a petition with the Council of University Presidents of Thailand, the organisation responsible for Thailand’s university placement selection process, to explain errors that were found on the 2024 admission exam.

For this year’s World Press Freedom Day, Prachatai and UNESCO invite you to attend a seminar on “Media freedom in Thailand post-election amidst environmental crisis and the path towards anti-SLAPP law” at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) on 3 May 2024, 13.00 – 16.00.