Ten Thai MPs Face Trial Over Calls to Amend Royal Defamation Law

Ten Thai MPs Face Trial Over Calls to Amend Royal Defamation Law

BANGKOK, April 26, 2026 — Thailand’s Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a case against 10 opposition lawmakers accused of ethical violations for previously calling for reform of the kingdom’s strict royal defamation law.

The group includes Natthapong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition Prachachon Party, according to court statements cited by local media and AFP.

Judges said they had reviewed evidence submitted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and found sufficient grounds to proceed with further hearings.

However, the court did not immediately suspend the lawmakers from their parliamentary duties, accepting the case for trial without imposing interim penalties.

The accusations stem from calls made in 2021 by members of the former Move Forward Party to amend Thailand’s lese-majeste law, which criminalises insults against the monarchy and carries heavy prison sentences.

Natthaphong told reporters after the ruling that neither he nor his party had intended to undermine Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.

He said the lawmakers would fight the case in court to defend parliamentary rights and democratic principles.

If found guilty, the 10 lawmakers could face severe penalties including lifetime political bans and loss of voting rights for 10 years.

The case is part of wider legal pressure on reformist politicians linked to the dissolved Move Forward Party, which was disbanded by Thailand’s Constitutional Court in 2024 over its campaign to amend the monarchy law.