Arnon Nampa, a key figure in the Thai pro-democracy movement. He has become a prominent voice in the blistering discussion over Thailand’s draconian lese majeste laws. Charged with violating Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code for making a speech, Nampa’s case highlights the broader implications of these laws, which have been used to suppress political dissent and protect the monarchy from scrutiny. Since 2020, the number of people prosecuted under these laws has exploded. This new wave is causing widespread concern among human rights activists and those watching from abroad.
Lese majeste laws against defaming, insulting or threatening the monarchy have been used frequently and criticized widely for their imprecise phrasing. The lack of a narrow legal definition creates opportunity for broad interpretations. The critics maintain that the law, as comprised, gives the government more power to silence dissent and squash freedom of speech. In fact, between 2014 and 2019 just 65 people were charged under these laws. Since 2020, that number has shot up to 281. Authorities have actively undertaken almost 2,000 other prosecutions for political-oriented protests or speech they find objectionable.
The conviction rate for lese majeste cases is an equally disturbing 80%. To make matters worse, prosecutors almost always stop short of charging only 99% of the time, increasing the law’s chilling effect on protected free speech. Today, many other activists and organizers like Nampa have suffered extreme measures for their advocacy. Initially sentenced to four years in prison, Nampa’s sentence was subsequently shortened to two years and eight months. Under this harsh climate, some activists have felt compelled to go on hunger strikes during their prison sentences. Sadly, tragically, Netiporn “Bungsu” did not survive after suffering through 65 days of hunger strike to oppose her detention.
The Broader Impact of Lese Majeste Laws
Critics — including some former government officials — counter that such lese majeste laws are only used to stifle dissent. They argue that these laws further entrench the monarchy’s place in Thai society. It’s in this context that state governments are using these laws to protect themselves from public scrutiny while keeping the peace. Supporters have argued that these protections are needed in order to shield the monarchy from threats that they see as existential. One vocal supporter of the legislation, Tul Sitthisomwong, explained that, “It is a law protecting the head of state.”
Plenty more people are still not convinced that we need parallel, strict regulations. Paul Chambers, an expert in Thai politics, noted the law is very powerful by itself. As he noted, the true problem lies in how people misuse it. This feeling is indicative of fears that the law is used disproportionately as a weapon against anyone who disrupts the current order.
Lese majeste laws aren’t the only tool for silencing dissent. Regulators frequently turn to sedition and defamation laws to silence dissenting opinions. Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, an activist with firsthand experience of this repression, noted, “The risk of being prosecuted or charged under lese majeste is always constant if you are in Thailand.”
Activism and Personal Sacrifice
Arnon Nampa’s time in jail has traumatized his family and community. Pathomporn, Nampa’s partner, shared poignant reflections on their life apart: “Our eldest child keeps asking every day when we will be together again. It is just a tense and sorrowful environment all the time because we can’t provide the kids any definitive answers. She vividly described Nampa’s condition in prison: “He has lost about 10 kilograms since entering prison. His hands are cracked and rough. The only bedding he has is a one-inch polyester mattress and a thin blanket.”
The emotional cost to families like Nampa’s is made worse by the fact that they can’t talk openly. Nampa’s three-year-old child expressed a simple yet heartbreaking desire: “We are going to see Dad.” Such sentiments reveal the deeply personal cost of the political repression at play in Thailand.
International Reactions and Future Outlook
Globally, there has been pressure for Thailand to reconsider its position on lese majeste laws. In January, United Nations human rights experts urged Thailand to fully repeal these laws. They claimed that these types of laws are incompatible with democracy. Their statements make clear the increasing alarm regarding the deterioration of civil liberties in Thailand.
Yet, against this backdrop, an Amnesty Bill is now progressing through parliament. This legislation brings a ray of hope for the thousands in prison on political charges. In practice, however, lese majeste offenders are unlikely to be included in any possible amnesty, leaving many activists in very risky situations.
As the situation in Thailand continues to develop, the value of lese majeste laws poses a dangerous threat. They further impede our freedom of expression. Read together, they expose an unsettling national undercurrent regarding the monarchy’s future and the government’s attitude toward public dissent.
