Reuters

Thailand probes Amnesty International after ultra-royalist complaint

Thailand is investigating whether Amnesty International has broken any laws, its prime minister said on Friday, after ultra-royalists called for the human rights group to be expelled for its support of activists facing prosecution. An ultra-royalist group sent a letter to the government on Thursday saying Amnesty’s campaigns to bring an end to criminal charges against protesters calling for reforms of the monarchy had undermined national security. More than 1,600 activists are now facing security-related charges, including at least 160 people charged under Thailand’s strict laws against insulting the monarchy, which carry a potential prison term of up to 15 years.