Thailand’s main opposition leader and nine other MPs were among dozens on trial yesterday, accused of ethics breaches over attempts to reform the kingdom’s strict royal insult law.

The 44 defendants, whose trial opened at the Supreme Court, include Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, whose progressive People’s Party came second in February polls.

An earlier iteration of the party had in 2021 proposed draft legislation to amend Thailand’s lese-majeste law, which shields the king and his family from criticism and carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years per offence.