The Thai court sentenced Move Forward Party lawmaker Chonthicha Jangrew to two years in prison for defaming the monarchy in a speech she made during a protest rally three years ago. The charges stemmed from her speech demanding the release of political prisoners and criticizing the government for amending laws to give King Vajiralongkorn more power to control palace wealth. The judge found her guilty of misinformation that could tarnish the king’s reputation and reduced her sentence from three to two years due to her cooperation in the trial.
Chonthicha, popularly known as “Lookkate,” was released on bail of 150,000 baht and expressed her intention to appeal the verdict. She mentioned that the majority of charges under Article 112 had led to convictions and emphasized the need for political prisoners to be granted the same rights. Chonthicha, a former activist who became a high-profile figure in the pro-democracy movement, won a seat in Parliament in the last general election but faced challenges due to the conservative forces blocking the party’s leader from becoming prime minister.
Criticism of Thailand’s monarchy is considered taboo, with insulting or defaming key royal family members punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Despite this, student-led pro-democracy protests in 2020 openly challenged this taboo and criticized the monarchy, leading to increased prosecutions under the lese majeste law. Critics argue that the law is used as a tool to suppress political dissent, with over 270 people, mostly student activists, charged with violating Article 112 since early 2020. This crackdown has sparked concerns about the shrinking space for freedom of speech and political expression in Thailand.
Chonthicha and nine other defendants were acquitted of charges related to illegal assembly and violating an emergency decree enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was the only one charged with violating lese majeste, highlighting the severity of punishment for insulting the monarchy. The Move Forward Party, a progressive party that secured a surprising victory in last year’s election, has faced challenges in gaining power due to opposition from influential conservative forces. Despite the setbacks, Chonthicha’s case underscores the ongoing struggle for democratic reform in Thailand and the risks faced by those who challenge the monarchy.
In a separate case, another lawmaker from the Move Forward Party was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison for posts allegedly shared on social media platform Twitter. The lawmaker appealed the verdict and was granted release on bail, highlighting the legal challenges faced by those pushing for political change in Thailand. The continued crackdown on dissent and the use of laws like Article 112 to silence critics raise concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in the country. The verdict against Chonthicha and other activists underscores the importance of defending freedom of expression and supporting those who advocate for democratic reform in Thailand.
