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Thailand's Opposition Faces Trial Over Lese-Majeste Law Amendments
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Elections & Politics

Thailand's Opposition Faces Trial Over Lese-Majeste Law Amendments

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Thailand's opposition leader and nine other MPs face trial at the Supreme Court for alleged ethical violations related to amending the lese-majeste law.
  • The case stems from a 2021 bill proposed by the Move Forward Party to amend the law, which carries severe penalties for insulting the monarchy.
  • If convicted, the politicians could face a lifetime ban from holding political office and a 10-year disenfranchisement.

Thailand's main opposition leader and nine other members of parliament are on trial at the Supreme Court, accused of ethical breaches concerning attempts to amend the country's strict lese-majeste law. The charges target dozens of individuals, including Natthapong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, which secured second place in the February general election.

The legal battle centers on a bill proposed in 2021 by the now-dissolved Move Forward Party. This legislation sought to amend the lese-majeste law, which protects the monarchy from criticism and imposes a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment for each offense. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) filed a civil complaint against 44 current and former politicians in April, alleging they violated ethical standards.

Our goal was more than just political careers. It is about ensuring equality for the people.

— NatthapongExplaining the motivation behind the proposed amendments to the lese-majeste law.

Should they be found guilty, the accused politicians face severe consequences, including a lifetime ban from political office and a 10-year suspension of their voting rights. Prosecutors have presented a list of 17 witnesses, including parliamentary and NACC officials, with the first testimony expected on August 25. Notably, none of the MPs on trial were present in court during the initial proceedings, according to AFP reporters.

Many of the accused were formerly members of the Move Forward Party, which was dissolved by the Constitutional Court in 2024 for attempting to undermine the constitutional monarchy. Most of its members subsequently formed the People's Party. Natthapong has previously stated that their reform efforts were not intended to harm democracy but to ensure equality for the people. He vowed to challenge the case to defend the rights of MPs within a democratic parliamentary system.

We will challenge this case in the Supreme Court to defend the rights of parliamentarians in a democratic parliamentary system and ensure that Thai democracy truly benefits the people.

— NatthapongStating the opposition's intention to fight the charges in court.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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