Thai Court Acquits Opposition Figure in Landmark Cybercrimes Case

A Thai court acquitted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, an opposition figure, of cybercrimes and insulting the monarchy from a 2021 Facebook livestream. He criticized the government's vaccine policies. Thailand's strict lese majeste laws and cyber laws could have led to a lengthy prison sentence. His lawyer noted an appeal period of 30 days.

A Thai criminal court has acquitted prominent opposition figure Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of charges related to cybercrimes and lese majeste. His lawyer confirmed the ruling on Thursday, clearing him of allegations stemming from a 2021 Facebook livestream where Thanathorn critiqued the government's pandemic response and alleged undue favoritism towards Siam Bioscience, a firm linked to King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Indicted in 2022, Thanathorn faced potential penalties under Thailand's harsh lese majeste laws, which can impose up to 15 years in prison and similar severe consequences under the computer crimes act. The opposition leader's lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharat, highlighted that prosecutors have a 30-day window to appeal the court's decision.

Thanathorn, who was banned from politics for ten years in 2020 due to a financial contribution to the now-dissolved Future Forward Party, maintains his stance as a significant figure in the opposition People's Party. The office of the attorney general has yet to comment on whether they will pursue an appeal.