Protests loom in Thailand after court ruling fuels anger | Politics News

Bangkok, Thailand –  A key court ruling in Thailand has raised concern that activists could face charges of treason after nearly 18 months of anti-government protests that have also called for a new constitution and royal reform.

Thailand’s constitutional court made the ruling in a case brought against three protest leaders who are facing charges under strict royal defamation laws.

A panel of judges ruled on Wednesday that the activists’ calls for reform were more than just rhetorical blasphemy.

The court said their speeches aimed “to overthrow the constitutional monarchy” with Judge Wiroon Sangtian saying that any reform of royal laws would “bring the monarchy to an unrespected status and could bring disobedience among the people.”

The defendants’ lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharut, told Al Jazeera that the ruling was a dark day.

“It’s not too far fetched to say that…