Organizer: Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand

Description:

The Constitutional Court ruling early this month, which classified the call for reform of the monarchy by activists as an attempt to overthrow the country’s system of governance, set a new precedent in Thai politics.

The ruling could create more legal troubles for the youth-led political movement that emerged last year to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and his cabinet and constitutional reforms with public consultation. It also broke a traditional taboo by openly calling for reform of the monarchy under the constitution.

Many are unfazed by the new line in the sand. Over 1,600 people already face legal charges relating to street protests last year, including at least 155 people who are facing lese- majeste charges that criminalizes any insult or threat to senior members of the royal family.

The court’s verdict may also pose a legally threat to any opposition parties that have been sympathetic to the protest movement.

Some parties have recently called for a review of the government use of lese-majeste, raising the temperature of a rare public debate on monarchy-related issues as the protesters on the streets call for the law’s revocation.

Speakers will include Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister, joining online with at least two more in the clubhouse.

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