Thai activist gets 2 years over royal livestream

A Thai criminal court sentenced activist Tantawan Tuatulanon to two years in prison after convicting her under Thailand's lese-majeste law over a 2022 livestream near a royal motorcade, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said.

The legal advocacy group said the court convicted the 25-year-old on Monday. It said the court found she intended to defame the monarchy when she questioned police conduct as officers dispersed farmers protesting along the route of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's motorcade in Bangkok.

Tantawan denied breaching the law. Her lawyer, Khumklao Songsomboon, told AFP on Tuesday that she would appeal and said the livestream was an exercise of free speech about police work and the right to assembly.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said Tantawan was granted bail during the appeal, with a condition barring her from travelling abroad. It said the court also fined her 600 baht, or $18, for disobeying an official's order.

Under Section 112 of Thailand's criminal code, anyone convicted of insulting, defaming or threatening the king or his family can face up to 15 years in prison per offence. Legal observers and rights campaigners say the law is interpreted broadly and has been used to target dissent. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights says nearly 300 people have been charged under lese-majeste since pro-democracy protests in 2020.