Thai MP acquitted of lese-majeste, protest speech charges

2026-03-21 - 10:40

UBON RATCHATHANI — 20 March 2026, A provincial court has acquitted MP Piyarat Chongthep, also known as “Toto”, of lese-majeste and related charges over a speech delivered at a 2020 protest, according to court and rights group reports. The Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Court delivered its ruling at about 09:15 dismissing all charges against Piyarat, a party-list MP from the People’s Party and former leader of the We Volunteer (WeVo) group. He had been charged under Section 112 (lese-majeste), Section 116 (sedition) and the Computer Crime Act in connection with remarks made during the “Let the Children Speak, Let Adults Listen” rally at the city pillar shrine on 22 August 2020. The court found that the defendant’s actions did not constitute offences as charged, ruling that the speech amounted to an expression of opinion on the origins of the constitution, institutional structures and historical conflicts, rather than assertions of fact that would meet the legal threshold for the charges. As a result, the court dismissed all counts, including those under Sections 112 and 116, as well as the Computer Crime Act. The verdict was also reported by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which said the court determined the speech fell within the scope of opinion and did not violate the law.