Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate

“If you ask me what the text of the law says, I can tell you,”

Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-30

He was discussing the ambiguity of how courts interpret the lèse majesté law's wording.

“In many cases, like the one against Arnon Nampa, prosecutors accuse the defendant of lying about the monarchy,”

Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-30

He described how prosecutors accuse lèse majesté defendants of lying about the monarchy.

“But when we ask the judge to subpoena documents or witnesses who could show the truth of what the defendant says, the judge refuses to do it. When one lawyer protested against the court deciding that the trial would be held in secret, she was warned by the judge to be quiet or face a contempt of court charge.”

Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-30

He described the difficulties defense lawyers face in lèse majesté trials, including judges refusing to subpoena evidence.