The two leading opposition parties -- Pheu Thai and Move Forward -- have made their stances clear on the controversial Section 112 of the criminal code, better known as the lese majeste law.
Both have vowed to push in parliament for amendments to the law that academics, activists and pro-democracy members have, for many years, been campaigning for.
These commitments to pursue legal changes that many believe would benefit democracy and the rule of law, despite the sensitive nature of the subject, are both welcome and courageous.
In a statement endorsed by Chaikasem Nitisiri, former justice minister and chairman of the strategy and political direction committee of Pheu Thai, the party said that as well as lese majeste, the party will seek to amend Section 116 on sedition and the Computer Crime Act, which have also been criticised for being anti-democratic and curtailing free speech.
The statement alleged that the controversial laws have been used to suppress human rights and have contributed to an erosion of public faith in the justice system.
The party also vowed a root-and-branch review of the justice system which would inform amendments to laws and regulations proven to be unjust with the goal of freeing current prisoners of conscience and preventing people from being unfairly prosecuted in the future.
This latest stance marks a departure from the party's stance of nine years ago.
At that time, Pheu Thai under the leadership of Yongyuth Wichaidit, issued a statement pledging it had no plans or intention to amend the lese majeste law.
This about-turn clearly reflects the changing political landscape where growing demand for the reform of these archaic laws has become a popular policy platform.
The lese majeste law not only carries a very harsh sentence of three to 15 years in prison for anybody deemed to have defamed, insulted or threatened His Majesty the King, Queen, Heir Apparent and Regent but also allows anybody to file these charges.
The nature of the crime itself is also not clearly defined. While the law states that the crime applies to only the King, Queen, Heir Apparent and Regent, past suits have included charges against people who made references to historic kings or princesses.
It is not clear either what exactly qualifies as an act that could "insult, defame or threaten" a member of the royal family.
In the past, people participating in academic seminars on the role of the monarchy have been charged under the law. An activist who failed to stand up to pay respect to the royal anthem in a movie theatre was also taken to court for violating Section 112, before later being dismissed.
People who support the lese majeste law often argue that it is necessary to protect the monarchy. But in its current form, the law is flawed and serves neither Thais' right to free speech nor the monarchy itself.
The proposed amendment will hopefully provoke a much-needed, healthy debate on the issue in parliament.
In the end, however, it is the voters who will have the final say. And, to that end, other parties too should make their stances clear on both the lese majeste law and whether they back broader reform of the justice system.
The two major opposition parties have been bold enough to make their stances clear -- now it's time for the rest to follow suit.
