New Delhi, May 29 -- A criminal court in Thailand on Thursday acquitted the popular leader of a progressive political movement on charges of defaming the king and violating the law on online activity.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, head of the group Progressive Movement, was charged based on comments he made during a Facebook Live broadcast in 2021 about the awarding of a government COVID-19 vaccine production contract to a company owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

His comments were part of a general criticism that the government of then-Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha bungled its vaccination campaign by failing to ensure timely, adequate and effective supplies.

A press release from the Bangkok Criminal Court said Thanathorn's commen...