Tantawan Tuatulanon: The fearless young activist challenging Thai royalist establishment

Tantawan Tuatulanon, a political activist known for campaigning against royal motorcades, is back in the spotlight after her latest escapade sparked both public controversy and legal action.

After being charged twice with lese majeste in 2022, the 22-year-old was arrested again on February 13 and this time accused of sedition, breaking the Computer Crime Act, and causing a public disturbance. Sedition alone carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail as per Article 116 of the Criminal Code.

The new charges stem from an incident on February 4 when a car in which Tantawan was traveling chased the motorcade of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on a Bangkok expressway. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Natthanon Chaimahabud, had earlier honked continuously while the motorcade was passing.

After police blocked the car from joining the motorcade, Tantawan,…