The second son of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn surprised many by attending an exhibition in New York that showcased the stories of individuals prosecuted under Thailand’s stringent royal defamation laws. His presence signals a potential openness to discussing this sensitive issue.
Thailand enforces some of the world’s harshest lese majeste laws, with criticism of the King, Queen, or heir apparent carrying the risk of a maximum 15-year prison sentence per offense. Even discussing the royal family can be highly perilous.
Individuals convicted under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code can face decades-long sentences, and numerous people have been prosecuted in recent years.
The exhibition, titled “Faces Of Victims Of 112,” was organized by Thai dissident Pavin Chachavalpongpun at New York’s Columbia University. Pavin is a vocal critic of the Thai monarchy and a royal academic who himself faces lese majeste charges.
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, the King’s second-oldest son residing in New York, confirmed his visit to the exhibition on his official Facebook page on Monday.
While expressing loyalty to the monarchy, Vacharaesorn emphasized the importance of awareness and individual opinions based on personal experiences.