Thailand appeals court upholds royal defamation prison sentence for progressive lawmaker

BANGKOK — An appeals court in Thailand has upheld a two-year prison sentence for a lawmaker from the progressive People’s Party for defaming the monarchy in a speech she made four years ago.

Chonthicha Jangrew, the lawmaker in question, has been granted bail by the court in Bangkok. She plans to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. If bail had been denied, she would have lost her position as an elected Member of Parliament.

This decision highlights the deep conservatism of Thailand’s state machinery, despite recent changes in government and the People’s Party’s standing as the largest party in Parliament. The political establishment in Thailand is highly sensitive to any perceived threats to the monarchy.

Recent appeals involving political activists have resulted in rulings that reversed lower court acquittals or imposed longer prison sentences.

Chonthicha’s case stems from a speech she delivered at a 2021 political rally, where she called for the release of all political prisoners. She was found guilty of parts of the speech that accused the government of giving more power to King Maha Vajiralongkorn by changing a law.

Criticism of the Thai monarchy is considered taboo, and insulting or defaming royal family members can result in up to 15 years in prison under Article 112.

Chonthicha emphasized that her case is significant as it demonstrates how the law suppresses freedom of expression, both within Thailand and globally.

This latest ruling marks another legal setback for the 32-year-old lawmaker, who was recently sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for a separate online post in 2020 related to royal privileges.

Before entering Parliament, Chonthicha was a prominent activist in the pro-democracy movement, which called for democratic reforms, including changes to the monarchy.

She was elected as a member of the Move Forward Party, which won the 2023 elections but failed to form a government and was subsequently disbanded for violating the constitution. The party later regrouped as the People’s Party.

The ongoing student-led pro-democracy protests in Thailand have aimed to reform the lese majeste law, but many protesters have faced prosecution under the same statute.

Critics argue that Article 112 is frequently used to suppress political dissent. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, over 280 individuals, including student activists, have been charged under Article 112 since early 2020.