Thai MP Receives 6-Year Sentence for Insulting Monarchy

Thai MP Rukchanok Srinork has been sentenced to six years in prison for insulting the monarchy on social media. Found guilty of breaching Thailand's strict lese-majesty law and computer crimes act, Rukchanok plans to appeal the sentence. The case involved criticism of a decision to award a Covid-19 vaccine contract to a company owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Thailand's lese-majesty law is one of the world's strictest, with criticism of the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Rukchanok's party, Move Forward, had pledged to reform the law but was blocked from forming a government. At least 259 people have been charged with insulting the monarchy since the 2020 protests.