Estranged son of Thai King Vajiralongkorn says discussion of the monarchy should be allowed

New York-based Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse signals he rejects Thailand's harsh lese majeste laws, which ban criticism of the royal family

An estranged son of Thailand's king who has spent almost all his adult life away from his homeland has unexpectedly gone public with his belief that open discussions about the country's monarchy should be allowed, in a rejection of a harsh royal anti-defamation law.

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, one of the king's five sons, posted his opinion on Facebook after attending a photo exhibition in New York about people who have been charged under the law, Article 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code.