Following a call for applications in late 2024, the Article 112 Project is supporting seven research and creative projects. See below for the project abstracts. Online public presentations to be scheduled in May, 2025!
Research Projects
From Global Reappraisal to Local Transformation: Universal Periodic Reviews and Lèse-majesté Law in Thailand
Tikumporn Rodkhunmuang, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
The enforcement of lese majesté law appears to be indirect opposition to the fundamental ideals of human rights and dignity, and it is used as weapons to inflame political problems. An individual avenue for pointing fingers at the state has emerged as a result of problems, and this approach is at odds with international human rights documents. The United Nations Human Rights System, often known as universal periodic reviews (UPR), will not spare Thailand’s penal code article 112. The world’s diplomatic ties need that the suggestions made by this global system be enhanced. From 2011 to 2021, the Thai government has published annual reports that cover a wide range of topics. A number of experts have contributed to these reports, including Thai political activists, academics, lawyers, regional communications, human rights groups, and international political advisors, who has been tracking the evolution of Thailand’s political situation, focussing on article 112. In order for Thailand’s administrative reform of its criminal justice system and freedom of speech to meet international human rights standards, it should take into account the assessments and critical voices from the US, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Luxembourg, and Germany. The human dignity of free expression is being aided by these worldwide proposals, which are also increasing political freedom and advancing the political situation in Thailand. In terms of the Kingdom of Thailand wants to be accepted into the global eye of liberal democracy, improvements and enjoyments of human rights are the only way to do it.
Politics of Dispossession: Persecution under the Lèse-Majesté Law and the Plight of Thai Political Exiles
Thannapat Jarernpanit, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University
The project applies the concept of the Politics of Dispossession to explore how legal systems and state violence intersect with Thai political exile and persecution under the lèse-majesté law. This approach allows for a critical analysis of the ways in which the state uses legal tools to suppress dissent and dispossess individuals of their rights and lives. At least 86 Thai activists sought political exile due to prosecutions under Article 112, particularly following the military coups of 2006 and 2014. Additionally, at least nine activists have faced enforced disappearance, torture, and death, with no ongoing investigations or prosecutions within the criminal justice system. The lèse-majesté law has become a political tool for targeting citizens who challenge the established political order. By invoking this law, the state not only silences opposition but also employs violence and coercion with impunity, justified in the name of state security and peace. This further consolidates the state’s power while undermining civil liberties. Therefore, the analysis extends to the association of the lèse-majesté law with the monarchy, royal-nationalism, conflict, violence, power dynamics, and the democratic ideals of Thailand. This framework reveals how the state, through the lèse-majesté law, suppresses dissent with impunity by means of violence. Despite the adverse consequences for public faith in the authority and legitimacy of the Thai government—particularly within judicial procedures—the law persists as a contentious tool for stifling dissent in Thailand.
Buddhist Divine Right? The Religious Foundations of Article 112
Oli Thomson, Glorisun Scholar MPhil Buddhist Studies University of Oxford
While recent scholarship on Thailand’s Article 112 has focused on judicial and political impacts of the legislation, this paper argues that to fully understand Article 112, it is crucial to understand its religious foundations. These foundations reveal the internal logic in not only the origins of the law, but how it continues to be utilised in contemporary Thai politics.
For most the Thailand’s history, the monarchical institution has been intimately tied to formal Buddhist institutions – with kings ruling as ‘rajadharmas’, ruling by authority earned through Theravadin Buddhist systems of power legitimisation. In seeking to understand the eventual rise of Article 112, this paper tracks these historical mechanisms of power legitimisation, notably the concept of ‘barami’ or ‘spiritual charisma’, exemplified through Pali narratives such as the Vessantara Jataka. This system of power allowed individuals, such as the early Chakri Kings, to accrue large followings despite not descending from the kings of Ayutthaya. Article 112, this paper argues, is a modernist Buddhist attempt to secure the barami of the Chakri monarchy into law, drawing inspiration from similar models of constitutional divine right espoused by Christian colonial powers. This articulation of the Buddhist foundations of Article 112 reveals the dense interrelations between the law, spirituality, culture and nationalism present in Thailand. Ultimately, this paper aims to expand the literature of Article 112 by widening the scope and describing the relevance of the law’s religious context.
The Loss of Life Costs for Individuals Prosecuted Under Section 112 of the Criminal Code: A Case Study in Northeastern Thailand
Phongsathon Kanthawong, Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University
This research aims to study the loss of life costs in various dimensions of individuals prosecuted under Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, focusing on the Northeastern region of Thailand. Specifically, it examines the costs of time, economic loss, and social impacts. The study emphasizes the experiences of ordinary citizens who are not prominent leaders or figures covered by the media but are everyday people affected by the enforcement of this law. This research provides an in-depth perspective on the daily life impacts often overlooked in mainstream discourse. It highlights the extensive repercussions of Section 112 embedded in Thailand’s political system, where democracy remains fragile. The findings aim to shed light on the imbalance in the justice system and the negative consequences for ordinary citizens, paving the way for policy discussions to reform the law and mitigate its impact on the public in the future.
Creative Projects
Seri Sin เสรีศิลป์: The Art of Freedom and Defiance
Andre Magpantay, University of the Philippines Diliman
Seri Sin เสรีศิลป์: The Art of Freedom and Defiance is a curatorial and research initiative exploring the intersection of art, activism, and resistance. It highlights the creative responses of Thai artists during the 2020 youth-led pro-democracy protests, where art became a medium for defiance and social commentary.
The exhibition will showcase a variety of multimedia works, including graffiti recreations, found objects from protest sites, digital art, and protest memes. It will also feature video interviews with artists and activists, providing personal insights into their experiences and motivations. By combining traditional and contemporary curatorial practices, the exhibit emphasizes the power of art in social movements.
A research paper will accompany the exhibit, delving deeper into the cultural significance of this artistic resistance. It will analyze how artists navigated censorship, collaborated with activists, and used art to foster public discourse and solidarity.
By spotlighting their struggle, Seri Sin เสรีศิลป์ contributes to broader conversations on the transformative role of art in advocating for democratic ideals and social change.
112 Zine: Amplifying Voices Through Literary Advocacy
Porntep Petchsumrit
A Literary Pilot for Advocacy, The 112 Zine project is an innovative literary initiative to foster critical discourse on Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, known as Article 112, which criminalizes defamation, insults, or threats against the monarchy. The zine explores themes of justice and freedom of expression through poetry, prose, and fiction, providing a platform for free expression and engaging broader audiences in meaningful dialogue. In its pilot stage, Volume 0 features a curated selection of excerpts from works that delve into the societal impacts of Article 112. Contributors include both emerging and established writers, notably members of “เครือข่ายกวีสามัญสำนึก” (Commonsense Poetry Network), a collective dedicated to promoting socially conscious literature. This group has advocated for freedom of expression and democracy in Thailand, often participating in events that combine poetry reading, demonstrations, and book clubs to voice their support. By highlighting diverse literary voices, 112 Zine aims to shed light on the complexities surrounding Article 112 and its implications for Thai society. The project aspires to encourage open discussion and reflection on the balance between respecting cultural institutions and upholding fundamental human rights. Through this literary pilot, the creators hope to inspire readers to contemplate the role of free expression in a democratic society and how literature can serve as a catalyst for social change.
Follow more detail at เครือข่ายกวีสามัญสำนึก | https://www.facebook.com/Commonsensepoetrynetwork/ and https://www.instagram.com/commonsensepoets
Art Under Constraint: The Evolution of Article 112 and Creative Freedom in Thailand
Suthathip Khamratana, Khon Kaen University
This project explores the impact of Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, Article 112 of the Criminal Code, on artistic expression. By focusing on contemporary visual art, literature, performance, digital footprints, social media, and Thai gastronomic culture ie. local liquor and craft beer, the study examines how the law shapes the themes, forms, and distribution of creative works. The research adopts a multidisciplinary approach, combining historical, legal, and artistic lenses for analysis. Moreover, archival analysis of legal documents and historical records traces the development and context of Article 112. Interviews with artists, curators, and critics provide firsthand insights into the creative decision under these constraints.
The findings will be shared through innovative scholarly and creative outputs. Firstly, a research article which will provide rationale of the project, conceptual framework, methodology, and the findings and critical reflections on the project. Secondly, a photography collection that will visually document the people, spaces, and moments shaped by Article 112’s influence on art. This digital archive will feature interviews, analyses, and curated artworks. The outputs aim to foster dialogue on the complex relationship between law, culture, and art and will be thematized according to what emerges during the data analysis. Lastly, a website containing both the research article and the more extensive digital archive will be created with an accessible link that can also be disseminated on the JSEALab website.
Ultimately, this project hopes to offer a unique perspective and insights into broader issues of freedom of expression, cultural identity, and the power of creativity under political constraint.