Thanathorn denies defaming Thai monarchy during livestream on vaccine acquisition – Thai PBS World Tonight [30th March 2021]

Leader of Thailand’s Progressive Movement, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, went to Nang Loeng police station this morning, to acknowledge lèse majesté charges over his Facebook live commentary, during which he questioned the transparency of the country’s COVID-19 vaccine acquisition effort.

Thanathorn insists that nothing he said during his livestream defamed the monarchy, and that he is not worried about the charges.

He added that he only has good intentions, and what he said at the time reflected the problems in the government’s vaccine acquisition and distribution processes.

After two hours of questioning, Thanathorn was charged with lèse majesté and breaching the Computer Crime Act.

However, he insisted that what he did was of benefit to the government, prompting it to reconsider its vaccine acquisition policy.

Thanathorn is scheduled to meet officers again on May 7th, to submit evidence.