Topic analysis

Thai opposition figures face trial over attempt to change royal defamation law

Thailand's Supreme Court has accepted a petition charging 44 current and former opposition lawmakers—including members of the progressive People's Party and its predecessor, the Move Forward Party—with ethics violations for a 2021 attempt to amend the country's strict lese-majeste law (Section 112), which criminalizes criticism of the monarchy and carries up to 15 years in prison per offense; their trial starts June 30, and a guilty verdict could lead to lifetime bans from public office, though the 10 serving lawmakers named will not be suspended during proceedings. The Move Forward Party was dissolved in 2024 over similar efforts to amend the law, having been blocked from forming a government after winning the 2023 election.