Thai opposition figures under scrutiny for royal defamation law

Thailand’s judiciary has initiated proceedings against 44 legislators, including current and former members of the People’s Party and its predecessor, the Move Forward Party, for attempting to revise the nation’s stringent lese-majeste law. The law, which has existed for over a century, makes criticism of the royal family a criminal offense. Under its provisions, offenders could face up to 15 years in prison for each violation.

On Friday, Thailand’s Supreme Court announced it had approved a petition alleging ethics breaches by the 44 lawmakers in their 2021 effort to alter the monarchy protection statute. The trial is set to begin on June 30, with the court declining to suspend any of the 10 active lawmakers named in the case, such as People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and deputy Sirikanya Tansakul.

The law, known as Section 112, remains a potent tool for enforcing loyalty to the monarchy, which is widely revered across the country. Critics argue that it has been weaponized to suppress dissent, particularly against political rivals. Following the 2023 elections, the liberal opposition, led by the Move Forward Party, was denied the chance to form a government. Later in 2024, the party was disbanded for its campaign to amend the royal defamation law, which safeguards the monarchy from public criticism.

Recent developments include the acquittal of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in August 2025, when a court dismissed charges under the lese-majeste law that had threatened his imprisonment. This ruling highlights ongoing debates about the law’s application and its role in political repression.

To access the associated video, ensure JavaScript is enabled and use a browser compatible with HTML5 video. The trial underscores the tension between free speech and royal authority in Thailand’s political landscape.