A newly elected progressive Thai lawmaker is sentenced to 6 years for defaming the monarchy

By JERRY HARMER
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand has convicted and sentenced a recently elected lawmaker to six years in prison for defaming the monarchy under a controversial law that guards the royal institution. Rukchanok Srinork arrived for her court hearing Wednesday in the capital, Bangkok, as her fellow lawmakers were convening in Parliament. She was charged over two posts she allegedly shared two years ago on the social media platform then known as Twitter. Rukchanok was sentenced to three years on each count under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code. The law, known as lese majeste, protects the monarchy, and has come under pressure in recent years with calls to abolish it.