A pro-democracy activist detained on royal defamation charges has been pronounced dead in custody after suffering a cardiac arrest while she was on a hunger strike to call for judicial system reform and the release of political dissidents.

A 32-year-old man from Buriram has been accused of royal defamation over a Facebook post about the execution of King Ananda’s secretary and two royal aides convicted for the alleged murder of King Ananda Mahidol.

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.

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.

Human rights lawyer and activist Anon Nampa is now facing over 10 years in prison after the South Bangkok Criminal Court today (29 April) sentenced him to 2 years and 20 days in prison on another royal defamation charge.

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.

During Srettha Thavisin’s 7-month tenure, political prosecutions, particularly for royal defamation, have remained an ongoing concern with no sign of improvement. Citizens and activists continue to be jailed for political expression and many have been denied their right to bail, says Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

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.