Thai monarchy
Prayut government takes a beating in first Bangkok governor election since 2014 coup

Independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt won the governor’s election, hinting at a decline in the popularity of the incumbent prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

Thanathorn persecuted in Thailand Thai opposition leader Thanathorn indicted of royal defamation for questioning vaccine management

The charges leveled against opposition leader Thanathorn were based on statements he made in January 2021 in a livestream that questioned the vaccine procurement contract and subsidies granted to a pharmaceutical company owned privately by the monarch

Russia-Ukraine talks face crisis, Thai dissident indicted and other stories

Today we look at the latest on the talks amid the war in Ukraine, the indictment of a dissident in Thailand, and more

Sweeping top court judgment endangers Thailand’s pro-democracy protests

In a ruling during a treason trial of three activists, the Constitutional Court found that demands for monarchy reforms are akin to overthrowing the monarchy. Activists fear the Chan-o-cha government will use the ruling to crackdown on opposition and the ongoing protests

Thailand protests As petition against Thailand’s lèse-majesté law receives over 200,000 signatures, pressure on government grows

As authorities in Thailand have escalated the political crackdown on activists through prosecutions and lawsuits, civil society groups and progressive movements continue demanding legal changes, accountability, and the release of political detainees

Millions head to the polls amid socio-economic crisis in South Africa and other stories

Today we look at the local elections in South Africa, renewed protests against the lese majeste laws in Thailand, and more

The heavy cost of ‘insulting’ monarchy in Thailand

Thailand has been witnessing massive protests over the past few months and one of the key demands has been the repeal of the draconian lèse-majesté law. Unsurprisingly, the government has used this provision indiscriminately against protesters

Thailand protesters on trial 22 Thai protesters face trial on “insult to monarchy” charges

Of the 22 protesters facing trial in Bangkok, seven are under pretrial detention and many are also facing other charges such as sedition and cybercrimes

14 more people charged with insulting monarchy in Thailand

With the latest action by authorities, the total number of people charged under Thailand’s harsh lèse-majesté law in the recent round of protests has risen to 31. Those charged include a 16-year-old

Thai protests As Thailand continues repression, protesters stand guard against coup

Five Thai human rights activists presented themselves before the police on Monday. Meanwhile, over the previous days, protesters held “coup prevention” actions and marched to the barracks of a regiment commanded by the king

Thai protesters face charges of insulting monarchy on eve of planned rally

15 protesters have been summoned to face lèse-majesté charges that can carry upto to 15 years in prison if found guilty. The summons were sent to some of the most prominent faces of the nearly four-month long protest movement

Thai protesters Several injured in police action against pro-democracy protesters in Thailand

Protesters in Thailand are demanding a curb on the monarchy’s power. The government led by prime minister Prayush Cha-ocha has resorted to repression of the protesters and arrested several leaders