Thai Lawmaker Receives Six-Year Sentence for Insulting Monarchy

Rukchanok Srinok, a progressive Thai lawmaker, has been sentenced to six years in prison for insulting the monarchy and breaching the Computer Crimes Act through two social media posts. Thailand's strict lese majeste laws make criticizing the royal family punishable by up to 15 years in prison per offense. Rukchanok, also known as "Ice," was granted bail while she appeals the sentence. She rose to prominence as an activist and critic of the former government and her party, Move Forward, won the most votes in the May election but was prevented from forming a government due to opposition to reforming the lese majeste laws. Human rights groups have criticized the prosecution of opposition members and the erosion of freedom of expression in Thailand.