Thai activists arrested for sedition after ‘harassing’ royal motorcade

BANGKOK: Thai police on Tuesday arrested two activists on charges of sedition and computer crime for allegedly harassing a royal family motorcade in Bangkok.

Insulting the monarchy, constitutionally enshrined to be held in “revered worship”, carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison under Thailand’s strict lese majeste law.

Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon, 22, did a live broadcast on her Facebook account showing her arguing with police who were blocking cars for a motorcade carrying Princess Sirindhorn, the sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The incident triggered a public row that escalated into brawls on Saturday between ultra-royalists and monarchy-reform activists that left more than a dozen people injured.

Media reported that the car Tantawan was in was honking and trying to overtake the royal motorcade on a Bangkok expressway.