20-7-2023 (BANGKOK) In a significant case highlighting Thailand’s strict lese-majeste law, a Thai court has sentenced a teenager to 12 months in prison for royal defamation. The charges stem from an incident three years ago when the individual participated in a pro-democracy protest wearing a black crop top, deemed to be a reference to pictures of the king wearing a similar outfit in some European media.
The defendant, identified as 19-year-old Napasit, also had a message painted on his body, which the court considered a “mockery to the king.” According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the court justified its ruling, stating, “The king is of a sacred status that should not be violated.”
Thailand’s lese-majeste law is renowned for its severity, ranking among the strictest in the world. Under this law, anyone found guilty of criticizing King Maha Vajiralongkorn or his close family members can face imprisonment for up to 15 years.
Initially, Napasit was sentenced to three years in jail, but the court took into account his age at the time of the offense, reducing the sentence to one year and six months. Furthermore, due to useful testimony provided by the defendant, the sentence was further reduced to 12 months.
Napasit’s case is not an isolated incident, as numerous people have faced accusations or charges related to the royal defamation law since mid-2020. According to TLHR, this tally includes 20 minors among the 246 individuals accused.
The lese-majeste law has also put both domestic and international media on alert, as strict caution must be exercised when reporting on lese-majeste cases and the monarchy in general to avoid potential prosecution.
The Move Forward Party (MFP), which secured the most seats in May elections, campaigned on a pledge to ease the lese-majeste law’s stringent measures. However, the party’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, is currently suspended as a lawmaker pending investigation in a share ownership case by the Constitutional Court. Furthermore, his attempts to become prime minister have been thwarted by parliament.
