(Thailand, 29th) A Thai court on Thursday dismissed charges of defaming the monarchy against former opposition leader Thanathorn.
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, founder of the now-dissolved Future Forward Party and current election assistant for the People's Party, criticized the government's slow progress and insufficient quantity in COVID-19 vaccine procurement during a Facebook livestream in 2021.
In the livestream, Thanathorn stated that Siam Bioscience lacked experience in vaccine production, and that the government was overly reliant on this enterprise.
The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Association stated that the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled on Thursday (May 28) that Thanathorn's comments at the time were targeted at then-Prime Minister Prayut's vaccination policy, and did not constitute defamation of the monarchy.
Thailand's strict lèse-majesté laws protect members of the royal family from criticism, with each offense carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The 47-year-old Thanathorn is a rising star in Thai politics in recent years and the founder of the now-defunct Future Forward Party, predecessor to the opposition Move Forward Party. In 2020, he was banned from politics for 10 years by the Constitutional Court.
According to Bloomberg, the court's dismissal of the charges removes an obstacle to his political comeback.
In the livestream, Thanathorn stated that Siam Bioscience lacked experience in vaccine production, and that the government was overly reliant on this enterprise.
The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Association stated that the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled on Thursday (May 28) that Thanathorn's comments at the time were targeted at then-Prime Minister Prayut's vaccination policy, and did not constitute defamation of the monarchy.
Thailand's strict lèse-majesté laws protect members of the royal family from criticism, with each offense carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The 47-year-old Thanathorn is a rising star in Thai politics in recent years and the founder of the now-defunct Future Forward Party, predecessor to the opposition Move Forward Party. In 2020, he was banned from politics for 10 years by the Constitutional Court.
According to Bloomberg, the court's dismissal of the charges removes an obstacle to his political comeback.