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The long and controversial history of Thailand’s law against royal insults

13 Sept 05:59 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's lèse majesté law (Article 112) is back in active enforcement, with dozens recently charged for royal insults during anti-establishment protests, ending a two-year hiatus.
Pro-democracy advocates demand the repeal of Article 112, asserting it's a politically wielded tool to suppress dissent, imposes severe penalties (3-15 years imprisonment), and curtails free expression.
Conversely, royalists defend the law's necessity to protect the monarchy from defamation, highlighting the King's inability to file personal libel charges and comparing it to similar laws in other nations.
The controversial law, first established in 1908, has seen its penalties significantly stiffened over decades, with past attempts to amend or abolish it consistently failing due to strong opposition.

Yesterday 16:46 Key points summarised by AI

A dinner between Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Kla Tham leader Capt. Thamanat Prompow ignited widespread speculation about a potential merger between their parties.
The meeting is viewed as a strategic message to coalition partner Pheu Thai, indicating Bhumjaithai's alternative options following Pheu Thai's chief whip's remarks about not fully defending all ministers in the upcoming no-confidence debate.
A direct merger between parties with sitting MPs is currently prohibited by Section 99 of the Constitution until the House's term expires, though MPs can switch parties through dismissal or party dissolution.
These constitutional rules aim to prevent financially strong parties from easily absorbing smaller ones, a practice that historically led to single-party dominance, as seen with Thai Rak Thai's 2005 election victory.