Progressive Thai Lawmaker Receives 6-Year Sentence for Monarchy Insult

Rukchanok Srinork, a recently elected lawmaker in Thailand, has been sentenced to six years in prison for defaming the monarchy under the controversial lese majeste law. She was charged over two social media posts, including a tweet about the monarchy's links to a coronavirus vaccine and a retweet of an anti-monarchy quote. Rukchanok, a member of the opposition Move Forward Party, has denied posting the tweets and has appealed the sentence. Critics argue that the lese majeste law is often used to suppress political dissent in Thailand.