Lèse-majesté law

Rukchanok Srinork's Move Forward Party has campaigned hard for the repeal of Article 112 of the Thai penal code, which criminalizes criticism of the monarchy.

The case was a rare example of moderation in a case involving the sensitive subject of the Thai monarchy.

Even if it puts off amending the royal defamation law for now, change is probably inevitable given shifts in public attitudes toward the monarchy.

The pact enshrines many of the Move Forward Party's most ambitious reforms, but does not include its plans to amend the lese-majeste law.

A 15-year-old sits in detention for insulting the monarchy. With such cases in progress, the election this Sunday alone can’t be expected to put Thailand back on track.

In the May election, a significant number of Thais are expected to vote for a party that has spoken about the need to reform – or even abolish – the lèse-majesté law.

Courts are trying political activists for insulting the country's king, while sidestepping any discussion about what they actually said and whether it was true.

The cartoon images of the duck, a symbol of the country's pro-democracy movement, were said to mock the Thai king.

Activists from the monarchy reform group Thalu Wang have asked the Pheu Thai Party to abolish Section 112 if it wins this year's election.

Tantawan Tuatulanon and Orawan Phuphong demanded that a judge revoke their bail in solidarity with other activists facing lese-majeste charges.

Lese majeste laws are irreconcilable with freedom of expression.