Royal slur cases in Thailand surge after military coup

Amnesty International said an “unprecedented” number of people have been charged with insulting Thailand’s monarchy since the coup, with 14 Thais indicted under the controversial lese majeste law in less than four months. Revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 86, is protected by one of the world’s toughest royal defamation laws: anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count. Amnesty said commentators calling for reform of the law or those previously jailed for royal defamation “appear to have been targeted” in the lists of people the junta required to report to them after seizing power.

Last time it was used as a weapon between elites. Now it could affect anyone.

Associate professor at Japan’s Kyoto University Pavin Chachavalpongpun

In his weekly televised speeches, junta chief and recently appointed prime minister Prayut Chan-ocha has reiterated the importance of the royal defamation legislation. He said: “The laws are aimed at protecting the royal institution. Thailand’s strength is based in the monarchy institution and stability.” But critics say the law has been politicised, noting that many of those charged in recent years were linked to the “Red Shirts” protest movement, which is broadly supportive of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Some experts believe that a struggle is unfolding to decide who will run Thailand’s government when the more than six-decade reign of the ailing king eventually ends. The succession is a taboo topic in the country and its discussion is restricted under the royal defamation law.

Asia-Pacific