A criminal court in Bangkok cleared a prominent progressive political figure Thursday of charges related to insulting the monarchy and violating computer crime laws.
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who leads the Progressive Movement, faced prosecution over remarks he made in a 2021 Facebook Live session regarding a government contract for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing that went to a business owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The statements were delivered as part of broader criticism targeting the vaccination program under former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s administration, which Thanathorn accused of mishandling vaccine procurement and distribution.
According to a statement from the Bangkok Criminal Court, Thanathorn’s remarks were directed at criticizing Prayuth’s leadership and contained no malicious intent toward the monarchy.
The kingdom’s lese majeste statute, known as Article 112 of the Criminal Code, threatens prison sentences of up to 15 years for those who insult the royal family, though opponents argue it serves as a weapon against political opposition. Computer crime violations can result in five-year sentences.
Acquittals in royal insult cases occur infrequently in Thailand, where government institutions maintain conservative positions and officials remain protective of the monarchy’s standing.
“Personally, I feel relieved,” Thanathorn told media representatives following the court decision.
He urged respect for the rights of those imprisoned for political reasons.
“They are not criminals in a literal sense,” he said. “They are in jail because they think and they speak.”
Youth-driven democracy movements beginning in 2020 pushed for reforms to the royal defamation statute, but many demonstrators became subjects of prosecution under the same legislation.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, an advocacy organization, over 290 individuals, including numerous student protesters, have faced Article 112 charges since early 2020.
The prosecutor’s office indicated it may pursue an appeal of the verdict.
Thanathorn helped establish the Future Forward Party, which was later dissolved but emerged as a significant political player by placing third in the 2019 election just one year after formation. The party frequently criticized military influence in government.
Parliamentary authorities removed Thanathorn in 2020 following a court determination that he violated election regulations through previous media company ownership. The Constitutional Court disbanded Future Forward that same year over alleged campaign finance violations.
The party’s replacement, Move Forward Party, captured the most legislative seats in the 2023 election, marking a significant victory for progressive politics after nearly ten years of military-influenced governance, though conservative legislators prevented the party from leading the government.
Courts ordered the dissolution of that party in 2024 after accusations it violated constitutional provisions by proposing changes to royal defamation laws.
The movement’s current form, the People’s Party, finished second in the 2026 election and now serves as the primary opposition force.
