An activist has been charged with royal defamation over a speech given during a protest on 14 July at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), which took place following attempts to disqualify Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat and block his bid to become the next Prime Minister.

Ahead of the expected verdict on Thursday (20 July), Amnesty International calls on the Thai authorities to drop a royal defamation charge against Noppasin Treelayapewat, who was charged for taking part in a mock fashion show when he was 16 years old.

At 14, Thanalop Phalanchai became one of the youngest people ever charged with royal defamation. At 15, she was arrested and held in pre-trial detention, making her the youngest person to ever be detained on a royal defamation charge. Her arrest and detention raised questions about the Thai juvenile justice system and whether it is serving the best interests of the country’s children.

A Facebook user charged with royal defamation for posting a picture of King Vajiralongkorn changing the seasonal decoration of the Emerald Buddha, edited so that the Buddha is wearing a dress, has been found guilty and sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison.

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison on a royal defamation charge for sharing a YouTube video clip along with a caption questioning the role of the monarchy.