BANGKOK: Thai police on Tuesday arrested two activists on charges of sedition after they reportedly tried to overtake a royal motorcade.
Tantawan Tuatulanon and Nattanon Chaimahabutr were arrested over the incident in which they tried to overtake the convey of the king’s sister Princess Sirindhorn and honking the royal vehicles.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), a legal rights group, said the arrested activists also face charges under the Computer Crimes Act.
Their advocate Krissadang Nutcharas told media that there are other minor charges against his clients such as disturbing the authorities and the breaking some of the traffic laws.
King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn holds high position in Thai society and is protected by some of the world’s strictest laws.
According to the legal observers and rights campaigners the royal defamation legislation and other laws — including the Computer Crimes Act have become a tool to target Thai citizens.
TLHR says more than 250 people have faced royal insult charges after 2020 demonstrations, including protest leaders and at least one elected member of the Parliament.
The Constitutional Court last month ruled that the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) election pledge to amend the lese-majeste was unlawful.
MFP won most seats in last May’s election but was stopped from forming a government by conservative forces, because of its desire to change lese-majeste laws.
