Thai court acquits a progressive political leader on charges of royal defamation
- On Thursday, a Bangkok criminal court acquitted prominent Thai opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of cybercrime and royal insult charges stemming from a 2021 Facebook livestream.
- During the 2021 broadcast, Thanathorn alleged the government mishandled its COVID-19 vaccine campaign and unfairly favored Siam Bioscience, a company owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
- Facing potential penalties of up to 15 years under Thailand's stringent lese majeste laws, the 47-year-old had previously been banned from politics for 10 years by the Constitutional Court in 2020.
- Krisadang Nutcharat, the politician's lawyer, confirmed the acquittal while noting that prosecutors have a 30-day window to appeal the court's decision.
- As the founder of a progressive movement aligned with the opposition People's Party, Thanathorn remains a significant figure despite being formally indicted in 2022 on these charges.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Thai Court Acquits Opposition Figure in Landmark Cybercrimes Case
A Thai court acquitted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, an opposition figure, of cybercrimes and insulting the monarchy from a 2021 Facebook livestream. He criticized the government's vaccine policies. Thailand's strict lese majeste laws and cyber laws could have led to a lengthy prison sentence. His lawyer noted an appeal period of 30 days.
Bangkok, 28 May (EFE).- Thai Justice absolved Thursday the promoter of the reformist movement and ex-candidate Prime Minister Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, from a case of lese majesty for a broadcast on social networks in which he criticized the program of acquisition of state vaccines against the COVID-19. The case arose shortly after the dissolution of his party, the progressive Future Forward, and during the pandemic, when in January 2021 in…
Thanathorn cleared of royal insult over vaccine comments
The Criminal Court has acquitted Progressive Movement founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of lese-majeste charges arising from comments he made criticising the government’s Covid-19 vaccine procurement, ruling that his remarks targeted the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration and not the monarchy.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
