It should be noted that there has been a sharp increase in SLAPP cases in recent years, as several politicians and business figures have adopted such measures to silence those who scrutinise their performance. Around 90% of documented SLAPP cases in Thailand involve criminal charges, a much higher proportion than in most Asean member states. SLAPP lawsuits often involve complainants splitting cases into multiple filings, each demanding high damages, to create fear and obstruct scrutiny. Although courts can dismiss SLAPP cases at an early stage, in practice, most judges accept them as part of due process. What the country needs, at a minimum, is a legal filter to screen out SLAPP lawsuits that should not proceed.

Source: Bangkok Post April 03, 2026 23:59 UTC