Thailand's constitutional court puts lese majeste law in spotlight

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Thailand's constitutional court asked the government prosecutor's office on Monday to decide within 15 days whether an amendment to the country's lese majeste law is constitutional or not.

The court order followed a petition filed with the prosecutor's office by a lawyer to prevent the Move Forward Party (MFP) and its leader Pita Limjaroenrat from amending the law, which carries a three to 15-year prison sentence in the country for defaming, insulting, or threatening the royal family.

“The petition was lodged with the prosecutor on May 10 by a lawyer to have the court rule to stop the move,” the local Khaosod English daily said on Twitter, citing a statement from the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand.

On May 22, Limjaroenrat gave a hint that the lese majeste law might be revised when announcing an agreement between eight parties alliance on a 23-point pact following the May 14 general elections.

“Our objective is to improve the relationship between the monarchy and the people,” the 42-year-old, Harvard-educated Pita told reporters during a coalition briefing in the capital Bangkok, according to the Business Times.

With 313 seats, the MFP leads an eight-party coalition. However, electoral rules require him to gain approval from both the 500-member House of Representatives and the Senate, which has 250 unelected members appointed by the military following the 2014 coup.

It is unclear whether enough senators, who are perceived to be mostly aligned with the conservative military establishment, will vote for Pita. The country could face a deadlock if they do not, the daily said.