Suchart Sawadsri, a well-known 79-year-old Thai writer, has been accused of sedition for sharing a video clip concerning the royal defamation law.

Thai Lawyers for Humans Rights (TLHR) reported that former national artist Suchart Sawadsri faces a sedition charge in connection with a Facebook post on 29 October 2022 where he shared a video clip titled “10 things people do not know about Section 112 (royal defamation law)”, originally posted by iLaw. He also included a message with the shared video clip, saying “Why we have to revoke Section 112. We will choose a political party that has a clear policy about ‘revoking Section 112’ #ReleaseOurFriends”.

The lawsuit against Suchart was filed at the Srinakarin Police Station, Phatthalung Province, by Songchai Niamhom, leader of the ultra-royalist King Protection Group, which is active in the southern provinces. Members of the group are reported to have filed complaints, especially royal defamation charges, against several people, including a former Move Forward Party MP.

Suchart was charged with sedition, an offence related to national security, and violation of the Computer Crime Act. In August 2024, he received a summons from the police station in Phatthalung. The authorities claimed that it was the third summons, though the writer insisted that he had never received any prior summons.

Despite his advanced age, Suchart, along with his lawyer, had to travel the long distance to the southern province to acknowledge the case on 11 September. The writer denied all allegations and plans to provide further testimony.

It was also reported that on Thursday (19 September) Suchart and his legal team will hold a press conference concerning this case.

The sedition law stipulates that anyone who publicly makes statements by words, writings, or any other means which are not in accordance with the Constitution or for expressing an honest opinion or criticism, in order to change the country’s law or the government by the use of force or violence, or to raise unrest and disaffection among the public in a manner likely to cause a disturbance, or to cause the people to violate the laws of the country, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding 7 years.

Suchart, who was awarded the title of National Artist for Literature in 2011, was stripped of his title by the National Culture Commission (NCC) and the Ministry of Culture. He is one of many public figures who support pro-democracy protests and political reforms, and publicly criticise the military junta. His national artist title was revoked due to his social media posts that were deemed defamatory towards the monarchy.

Sedition is one of the most frequently used charges against political activists and demonstrators. According to TLHR, since the mass protests in 2020, at least 154 people have been charged with sedition, with 29 cases also involving charges of royal defamation.