Banning the opposition won’t save Thailand’s unpopular regime
Once again, the army pretends its critics are anti-royal
Thailand’s law against insulting the monarchy is arguably the world’s strictest. Each insult is punishable by three to 15 years in prison, and what counts as rude is broadly defined. People have been charged for such things as wearing a crop top similar to the king’s, throwing dog food at the police (implying they are the king’s attack dogs) and questioning whether an exclusive contract to manufacture covid-19 vaccines should have been awarded to a royal-owned firm.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “A desperate dissolution”
Leaders August 10th 2024
- How to respond to the riots in Britain
- Will America’s economy swing the election?
- Is Tim Walz the right vice-presidential running-mate for Kamala Harris?
- Banning the opposition won’t save Thailand’s unpopular regime
- Why Ethiopia and Nigeria must press on with reforms
- Bangladesh has ousted an autocrat. Now for the hard part
From the August 10th 2024 edition
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