Home

Bangkok threatens activist with royal law

AAP
Banned politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit faces charges under Thailand's royal defamation law.
Camera IconBanned politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit faces charges under Thailand's royal defamation law.

Thailand's government has filed a criminal complaint of defaming the monarchy against banned opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, after he criticised its COVID-19 vaccine strategy.

The move could mark the highest-profile lese majeste case since a wave of anti-government protests emerged last year and extended to criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn over allegations of meddling in politics and taking too much power.

The complaint against Thanathorn, under Article 112 of the Thai criminal code, came two days after he commented that the government was too reliant on a company owned by the Crown Property Bureau, which is under the king's personal control, to produce vaccines for Thais.

Thailand's royal defamation law, known as lese majeste, punishes defaming or insulting the Thai king by up to 15 years in prison per count.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Government officials who filed the complaint told reporters Thanathorn had defamed the monarchy in multiple remarks.

"Thanathorn distorted facts and caused misunderstanding among people," Suporn Atthawong, a minister in the prime minister's office, told reporters.

"He violated the monarchy, which upset Thai people who love and protect the monarchy."

Thanathorn, banned from politics for 10 years by a court last year, could not immediately be reached for comment.

But the Progressive Movement he heads said there was no insult in his comments at the group's 'Royal Vaccine: Who Benefits and Who Doesn't?' event broadcast on Facebook Live.

"It's obvious that 112 is being used again as a political tool," Pannika Wanich, Thanathorn's colleague and one of the group's leaders, told Reuters.

Government spokeswoman Ratchada Dhanadirek said prosecution of illegal actions was up to the justice system, not the government.

"The government doesn't need to use the law as a political tool to deal with anyone," she said.

"We're focused on urgent economic problems and long-term national recovery."

On Tuesday, Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced 65-year-old former civil servant Anchan Preelert to a record prison term of 43 years and six months for breaching the same strict law.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails