Thai Court Acquits Opposition Politician of Cybercrime Charges

On May 28, 2026, a Thai criminal court acquitted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a prominent opposition politician, of charges related to cybercrimes and lese majeste stemming from a January 2021 livestream. During the livestream, he criticized the government's handling of the Covid-19 vaccine campaign and alleged favoritism towards Siam Bioscience, a company linked to the monarchy. The charges included potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison for lese majeste and five years for violations of cyber laws. His lawyer confirmed that prosecutors have a 30-day period to appeal the ruling. Thanathorn has previously faced political bans, including a 10-year ban from politics imposed in 2020. The case highlights the strict lese majeste laws in Thailand and their implications for political dissent.

Key Points: • Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was acquitted of cybercrime and royal insult charges. • The accusations were linked to a January 2021 livestream criticizing government actions. • Prosecutors have 30 days to decide on an appeal against the court's ruling.