2LT International News

BANGKOK, Thailand: In the one year since his taboo-breaking speech that openly called for discussions on the role of King Maha Vajiralongkorn during Thailand’s youth-led anti-government protests, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa has spent months in jail, charged with defaming the monarchy.

Arnon is one of 103 people charged with insulting or threatening the king and his immediate family, a crime punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment. Hundreds more face other criminal charges.

“I think it has been worthwhile. Now the society can move forward and people can talk about the monarchy,” said Arnon, as quoted by Reuters.

The king is traditionally considered above reproach in Thailand’s conservative society, and any criticism of the monarch, who many view as semi-divine, is both taboo and illegal.

However, Arnon said, talking openly about the monarchy is necessary for democratic reform and to ousting Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who came to power in a 2014 coup.

On Monday, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri defended the criminal cases against the protesters. The palace also stated it will not respond to questions about the protests, while Prayuth’s office stressed he was re-elected in free and fair elections in 2019.

Since last year, 695 protesters have been charged with various crimes, including sedition and causing unrest, with 103 being charged with lese majeste, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Analyst Titipol Phakdeewanich, Dean of Political Science at Ubon Ratchathani University, said Thailand’s military-royalist establishment has used laws on insulting royals to silence critics for decades.

“The government is using its old legal tactic, which has been partially effective in creating fear that has prevented more people from coming out publicly to talk about the monarchy,” said Titipol, as reported by Reuters.

“But there are some people that do not care,” he said.

However, deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen denied cases against protesters are politically motivated.

The protests slowed earlier this year after key leaders were arrested and due to a severe COVID-19 outbreak. But in recent weeks, demonstrations have again began to intensify and involved not only youth protesters.

In late June, some former government allies took to the streets, demanding Prayuth’s resignation over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.