Thailand’s Lese-Majeste Cases Are a Travesty of Justice
The DiplomatApr 06, 2023
Leading Thai Activist Sentenced to Additional Jail Time
The Facts
The Criminal Court of Thailand handed an additional four-year jail sentence on further charges of lèse majesté [a crime like treason committed against a sovereign power] to Ratsadon protest group leader Arnon Nampa on Wednesday.
This comes three years after a complaint was filed with the Crime Suppression Division against the activist lawyer, alleging that Arnon had insulted the monarchy as he criticized the enforcement of the lèse majesté law in three Facebook posts in early January 2021.
The Spin
Narrative A
Yet again, a Thai court has enforced this archaic and oppressive law against an independent political activist who merely used his freedom of speech to criticize the monarchy. As if criminalizing that wasn't authoritarian enough, the prosecution carries no burden of proof — and even factual statements can be punished.
Narrative B
Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which is commonly known as Thailand's lèse majesté law, protects key national institutions as well as national security while also reflecting its culture and history. With the exception of some fringe troublemakers, the Thai populace respects the monarchy and recognizes it as one of the main pillars of the nation.
Nerd narrative
There's a 75% chance that Thailand will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.