Thai activist musician Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan was sentenced by the Criminal courts on Monday to four years of imprisonment for actions deemed insulting to Thailand’s monarchy and for violating the country’s Computer Crime Act.
The charges stem from an incident in 2021 where Chai-amorn publicly admitted to burning a portrait of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He maintained that his actions did not breach the royal insult law, but the court rejected his argument and deemed his actions as a dishonor to the king.
Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code states that anyone who “defames, insults, or threatens the king, queen, heir-apparent, or regent” may face imprisonment ranging from three to fifteen years. This law falls under lèse-majesté, which is considered a crime against the security of the kingdom according to Section 7 of the Thai Criminal Code.
Offenses allegedly committed outside of Thailand can also lead to prosecution and imprisonment within the country. This was exemplified in the case of American citizen Joe Gordon, who was arrested in May 2011 during a visit to Thailand for medical treatment and later sentenced to five years in prison.
Another case involves Chonthicha Jangrew, a parliamentarian associated with the Move Forward Party, who has recently received a two-year jail term. This verdict is related to a speech she delivered during an anti-government protest in 2021. Chonthicha has denied the charge and has been granted bail pending an appeal process.
Prominent Thai activist and lawyer Arnon Nampa faced his second conviction in January, receiving four additional years of imprisonment for royal defamation related to social media posts criticizing the enforcement of the lèse-majesté law. The court found him guilty of falsely portraying King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Nampa’s case underscores the ongoing suppression of dissent in Thailand, where criticizing the monarchy is a criminal offense, with activist Busbas Thirakot receiving a record 50-year sentence for similar charges.
Thailand’s lèse-majesté law has long been a subject of debate, with critics arguing that it stifles freedom of expression and enables political repression. However, supporters maintain that it is necessary to preserve the honor and dignity of the monarchy.
While these laws aim to safeguard the monarchy from criticism and carry severe penalties for violations, they have been considered too harsh by human rights groups and the United Nations, who called for reforms.
