Piyarat Chongthep

Piyarat Chongthep is a Thai activist and politician, serving as a Member of Parliament for the People's Party.

Career

Piyarat has been charged with royal defamation under Thailand's lese-majeste laws three times.
The first instance, Piyarat faced accusations of criticizing the Thai government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement, and was later acquitted. A second case is ongoing, regarding a speech given at a 22 August 2020 protest in Ubon Ratchathani province.
In a 31 December 2020 Facebook post, Piyarat allegedly referred to the Thai monarchy's use of taxpayer money when criticizing a police crackdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also charged under Article 14 of the Computer Crime Act. On 26 August 2025, Piyarat was acquitted of the charges.