An unexpected visitor, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the estranged second son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, attended an exhibition in New York focused on Thailand’s controversial Section 112, a law criminalizing insults against the monarchy. The exhibition, titled “Faces of Victims of 112,” held at Columbia University, sheds light on individuals who have faced imprisonment or exile due to Section 112, which is often used to stifle political dissent.
Section 112, known as lèse-majesté, can lead to sentences of up to 15 years in jail and covers a broad range of acts considered offensive to the Thai royal family. This includes anything from mild satire of the king or even his pet dog to sharing critical social media posts about the monarchy. As political tensions escalated in Thailand in 2020 and 2021, protests erupted across the country demanding the repeal of Section 112. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, over 250 people, including minors as young as 14, have been charged under this law for expressing their political views.
Section 112 played a central role in Thailand’s political transition in the year mentioned in the article. In a general election held in May, the progressive Move Forward Party, advocating for Section 112 reform, garnered significant public support. However, the party’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was thwarted by the conservative establishment from assuming the top position. Instead, the populist Pheu Thai party formed a new government in alliance with royalist parties, which continued to define Thai electoral politics.
Following his visit to the Section 112 exhibition, Vacharaesorn, a 42-year-old lawyer residing in New York, expressed his support for the monarchy but also emphasized the importance of listening to diverse opinions. This gesture is seen as encouraging by some, including Thai political scientist Pavin Chachavalpongpun, the exhibition’s organizer and a vocal critic of the monarchy.
Vacharaesorn’s appearance comes shortly after he and his brother, Chakriwat, made a surprise trip to Thailand, their first return in nearly three decades. This visit fueled speculation about Vacharaesorn being considered as a potential successor to King Vajiralongkorn, who has not officially named an heir. The Thai royal family’s future became uncertain following the illness of the king’s first daughter, Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, and the absence of an apparent heir among his six other children from four marriages.
While the palace did not comment on Vacharaesorn and Chakriwat’s visit to Thailand, observers believe it would not have been possible without approval from the monarchy. This suggests that the royal family may be considering Vacharaesorn as an alternative for succession.
It remains unclear whether Vacharaesorn’s social media post about the Section 112 exhibition will affect his chances of ascending to the throne. The Thai palace has mostly remained silent on the issue, although in 2020, then-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha mentioned that King Vajiralongkorn had advised against charging individuals under Section 112.
Pavin Chachavalpongpun emphasizes the need for progressive change within the Thai monarchy, suggesting that anyone aspiring to play a significant role in Thailand’s future must recognize the necessity for reform.