Thailand’s Supreme Court announced on Friday that it has accepted a petition accusing 44 current and former opposition lawmakers of ethical violations.
The case stems from a 2021 attempt to amend the country’s strict royal defamation law, which shields the monarchy from criticism. The trial is set to begin on June 30, and those facing charges include members of the progressive People’s Party and its predecessor, the Move Forward Party, reports DW.
If convicted, the lawmakers could receive lifetime bans from holding public office. The court stated it would not suspend the ten currently serving lawmakers involved in the case, among them People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul.
Thailand’s century-old lese-majeste law, known as Section 112, criminalizes any criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family, carrying penalties of up to 15 years in prison per offense.
While Thai monarchs remain deeply revered by many across the nation, critics argue the law has been weaponized to silence political opponents.
The liberal opposition, Move Forward, was blocked from forming a government after winning the 2023 election and was later dissolved in 2024 over its campaign to amend the law. That party had been accused of undermining Thailand’s constitutional monarchy system.
In a separate development in August 2025, a court cleared former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of lese-majeste charges that could have sent him to prison.
