On September 30, 2025, Thailand’s political landscape was once again thrust into the international spotlight as an appeals court in Bangkok upheld a two-year prison sentence for Chonthicha Jangrew, a lawmaker from the progressive People’s Party, for defaming the monarchy in a speech delivered four years ago. The ruling, reported by both ABC and the Associated Press, has reignited debate over the country’s controversial lese majeste law, which criminalizes criticism of the royal family and carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison.
Chonthicha, widely known by her nickname Lookkate, found herself at the center of this storm after a speech she gave at a 2021 political rally. The rally, which called for the release of all political prisoners, also included allegations that the then-government, led by Prayuth Chan-ocha, had changed legislation to grant King Maha Vajiralongkorn more power. These remarks were deemed defamatory under Article 112, Thailand’s strict royal defamation statute, resulting in her conviction and subsequent sentencing last year to three years in prison. The sentence was later reduced to two years in recognition of her cooperation with the court, according to ABC.
The appeals court’s decision on Tuesday did not come as a shock to many observers. Thailand’s judiciary, often seen as a bulwark of the nation’s conservative establishment, has consistently taken a hard line on cases involving the monarchy. According to the Associated Press, the court granted Chonthicha’s request for bail, setting it at 150,000 baht (about $4,600). This move allowed her to avoid immediate incarceration and, crucially, retain her status as an elected Member of Parliament—at least for now. Had bail been denied, she would have been stripped of her seat instantly.
Chonthicha has vowed to fight on, announcing her intention to appeal the ruling to Thailand’s Supreme Court. In remarks to journalists before the verdict, she emphasized the broader significance of her case, stating, “This case is important because it highlights to Thais and the world that the law suppresses freedom of opinion.” Her words echo the concerns of many activists and legal experts, who argue that Article 112 is wielded as a blunt instrument to silence dissent and restrict political debate.
This is not the first time Chonthicha has faced legal trouble related to her outspoken advocacy. Earlier this month, she was convicted in a separate case by the Bangkok Criminal Court and sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for an online post from 2020 that also touched on royal privileges. The pattern is hard to ignore: those who challenge the monarchy’s role or call for reform often find themselves targeted by the legal system.
Chonthicha’s journey to Parliament was anything but conventional. Before her election in 2023, she was a leading figure in Thailand’s youth-driven pro-democracy movement, which began gaining momentum in 2020. The movement’s demands were bold, calling for democratic reforms across several powerful institutions—including, most controversially, the monarchy itself. Chonthicha ran for office with the Move Forward Party, a progressive force that topped the polls in the 2023 election. However, the party’s success was short-lived. It failed to form a government and was subsequently disbanded after being found in violation of the constitution for proposing amendments to the lese majeste law. The party’s members, undeterred, regrouped under the banner of the People’s Party.
The legal and political saga surrounding Chonthicha is emblematic of the broader tensions in Thai society. On one side is a conservative establishment, fiercely protective of the monarchy’s status and deeply wary of any attempts at reform. On the other are young activists, progressive lawmakers, and a segment of the public that sees the lese majeste law as an outdated relic used to stifle legitimate debate. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, more than 280 people—many of them student activists—have been charged under Article 112 since early 2020. The sheer scale of these prosecutions underscores the law’s role as a key lever of state control.
The stakes in Chonthicha’s case are high. Beyond her personal freedom and political career, the outcome will signal how far Thailand’s authorities are willing to go to maintain the status quo. The Associated Press notes that other recent appeals involving political activists have resulted in harsher sentences or the reversal of lower-court acquittals, suggesting a hardening of judicial attitudes in the face of mounting calls for change.
Thailand’s lese majeste law remains one of the world’s strictest. Criticism of the monarchy is not merely taboo; it is criminalized, with sentences that can extend far beyond those imposed for similar offenses in other countries. The law’s defenders argue that it is necessary to preserve national unity and protect a revered institution from slander. Critics, however, see it as a tool for political repression, pointing to the wave of prosecutions that followed the surge in pro-democracy protests beginning in 2020.
The political context is equally fraught. Despite a recent change of government and the People’s Party’s success in Parliamentary elections, the machinery of state remains deeply conservative. The monarchy’s role is not just symbolic; it is intertwined with the country’s identity and political structure. Any perceived threat—real or imagined—is met with swift and often severe consequences. As the Associated Press observed, “Thailand’s political establishment is sensitive about any perceived threats to the status of the country’s monarchy.”
For Chonthicha and others like her, the path forward is uncertain. Her decision to appeal to the Supreme Court is a testament to her determination, but the odds are daunting. Previous cases suggest that the courts are unlikely to overturn the conviction, especially given the current political climate. Yet, her willingness to continue the fight has inspired supporters both in Thailand and abroad, who see her as a symbol of the struggle for greater freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, the broader movement for reform faces an uphill battle. Student-led demonstrations in recent years have brought unprecedented attention to the lese majeste law, but they have also triggered a fierce backlash. Many protesters now find themselves entangled in lengthy legal proceedings, their futures hanging in the balance. The chilling effect on political discourse is palpable, with many choosing self-censorship over the risk of prosecution.
As Thailand grapples with these challenges, the world is watching closely. The outcome of Chonthicha’s case, and others like it, will shape not only the country’s political future but also its reputation on the global stage. For now, the tension between tradition and reform remains unresolved—an uneasy truce in a society at a crossroads.
The story of Chonthicha Jangrew is far from over. Her fight, and the debates it has sparked, continue to reverberate through Thailand’s courts, Parliament, and streets—reminding everyone that the struggle for free expression is as urgent as ever.