Thai Activist Receives 50-Year Sentence for Insulting Monarchy

A court of appeals in Thailand has sentenced political activist Mongkhon Thirakot to a 50-year prison term for insulting the monarchy, finding him guilty of 25 violations of the lèse-majesté law. This decision, believed to be a record sentence for the offense, comes amid increased prosecutions under the law following student-led pro-democracy protests in 2020. The court's ruling reversed previous acquittals, applying the law to references of past rulers as well. The activist's defense team plans to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, while another prominent activist was also recently sentenced to prison for violating the same law.