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“You can’t truly understand another culture until you’ve lived in it.”
— Unknown
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Criticize Thai Government
Criticizing the government in Thailand can be risky, especially if it involves the monarchy. Thailand has strict lèse-majesté laws (Article 112 of the Criminal Code), which criminalize any perceived insult, defamation, or threat toward the king, queen, heir-apparent, or regent. Violators can face up to 15 years in prison per offense.
Beyond lèse-majesté, other laws, such as the Computer Crimes Act and sedition laws under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, have been used to prosecute individuals for criticizing the government, military, or judiciary. People, including activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens, have been arrested, fined, or jailed for expressing dissent, particularly online.
While some forms of criticism are tolerated, open and direct opposition, especially regarding the monarchy, can lead to severe legal consequences.
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Thai Opposition Leader Defends Support for Lese-Majeste Law Change
“Since the 2020-21 protests, the Thai establishment has sought to reinstate the political taboo against any critical discussion of the monarchy. It has wielded Article 112 prosecutions to silence scores of leaders and participants in the 2020-21 protests; at least 274 people faced lese-majeste charges as of September, according to the advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. It has also pursued anyone advocating the removal or amendment of the lese-majeste law.”
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Thai ex-PM Thaksin under fire for alleged racist jibe at African women
“Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has come under heavy criticism for delivering a racially tinged speech at a political rally where he allegedly said the country’s women struggle to become supermodels despite looking better than Africans.”
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Thai Weed Heats Up: Advocates Against Reclassification, Push for Cannabis Act
“Prasitchai explained that the network has proposed forming a joint committee to research cannabis in four dimensions:
Whether cannabis poses more health risks than cigarettes and alcohol.
Whether cannabis has caused more severe social harm in the last two years compared to cigarettes and alcohol.
Whether the medicinal properties of cannabis are superior to those of cigarettes and alcohol.
Whether cannabis actually causes psychiatric disorders and brain damage in young people, as claimed by the government.
Once the research is complete, the results should determine the legal status of cannabis. If cannabis is found to be no more harmful than cigarettes and alcohol and is not a cause of psychiatric disorders or brain damage, it should be regulated under a cannabis law. If it proves to be more harmful, it should come under the Narcotics Act.”