Current:Home > InvestA Thai court sentences an activist to 28 years for online posts about the monarchy-InfoLens
A Thai court sentences an activist to 28 years for online posts about the monarchy
View Date:2024-12-23 11:46:42
BANGKOK — A court in Thailand sentenced a 27-year-old political activist to 28 years in prison on Thursday for posting messages on Facebook that it said defamed the country's monarchy, while two young women charged with the same offense continued a hunger strike after being hospitalized.
The court in the northern province of Chiang Rai found that Mongkhon Thirakot violated the lese majeste law in 14 of 27 posts for which he was arrested last August. The law covers the current king, his queen and heirs, and any regent.
The lese majeste law carries a prison term of three to 15 years per incident for insulting the monarchy, but critics say it is often wielded as a tool to quash political dissent. Student-led pro-democracy protests beginning in 2020 openly criticized the monarchy, previously a taboo subject, leading to vigorous prosecutions under the law, which had previously been relatively rarely employed.
Since November 2020, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a legal aid organization, at least 228 people, including 18 minors, have been charged with violating the law, even as the protest movement withered due to arrests and the difficulties of conducting protests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chiang Rai court found that 13 messages posted by Mongkhon, an online clothing merchant, did not violate the law because they related to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the father of current King Maha Vajiralongkorn, or did not mention a specific royal figure. Mongkhon was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison for each of the other 14 posts. The 42-year total prison term was reduced by one third, to 28 years, because of Mongkhon's cooperation with the court.
Mongkhon was granted release on bail while his case in on appeal, under the conditions that he does not engage in acts that damage the monarchy or leave the country.
Prosecutions under the lese majeste law have recently drawn increased public attention because of a prison hunger strike by two female activists charged with the offense.
The two, Tantawan "Tawan" Tuatulanon and Orawan "Bam" Phupong, had been free on bail but announced earlier this month that they were revoking their own release to return to prison in solidarity with others held pending trial on the same charge. They issued demands including reform of the justice system, the release of political prisoners and the restoration of civil liberties by abolishing legislation such as the lese majeste law.
After three days back in prison, they began a hunger strike in which they are not consuming either food or liquids, a life-threatening tactic. On Tuesday they were transferred from the prison hospital to a state hospital with better facilities.
As their strike continued, supporters staged small protests.
The opposition Move Forward Party, which has been offering support, has proposed amending the lese majeste law, but no action has been taken in Parliament.
The proposal would reduce the punishment for defaming the king to a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of up to 300,000 baht ($9,160), while an offense against the queen, the king's heirs or the regent would be subject to a maximum six-month prison term and a fine of up to 200,000 baht ($6,100).
"The entire Thai justice system has a problem and so does the enforcement of the lese majeste law, which is also used as a political tool. Thailand has to solve this and make its distorted justice system better," said Pita Limjaroenrat, the party's leader.
veryGood! (783)
Related
- Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
- Analysis: By North Korean standards, Pvt. Travis King’s release from detention was quick
- Why this week’s mass exodus from embattled Nagorno-Karabakh reflects decades of animosity
- Fatal 2021 jet crash was likely caused by parking brake left on during takeoff, NTSB says
- Mike Tyson concedes the role of villain to young foe in 58-year-old’s fight with Jake Paul
- Court rejects Donald Trump’s bid to delay trial in wake of fraud ruling that threatens his business
- Who polices hospitals merging across markets? States give different answers.
- Monument honoring slain civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo and friend is unveiled in Detroit park
- Top Federal Reserve official defends central bank’s independence in wake of Trump win
- Heinz selling Ketchup and Seemingly Ranch bottles after viral Taylor Swift tweet
Ranking
- Judge recuses himself in Arizona fake elector case after urging response to attacks on Kamala Harris
- Macron proposes limited autonomy for France’s Mediterranean island of Corsica
- Fatal 2021 jet crash was likely caused by parking brake left on during takeoff, NTSB says
- Lebanese singer and actress Najah Sallam dies at age 92
- Where you retire could affect your tax bill. Here's how.
- NY Attorney General Letitia James has a long history of fighting Trump, other powerful targets
- Latest fight in the Alex Murdaugh case is over who controls the convicted murderer’s assets
- Trooper applicant pool expands after Pennsylvania State Police drops college credit requirement
Recommendation
-
Guns smuggled from the US are blamed for a surge in killings on more Caribbean islands
-
Man wanted in killing of Baltimore tech entrepreneur arrested, police say
-
Traffic deaths declined 3.3% in the first half of the year, but Fed officials see more work ahead
-
A woman is suing McDonald's after being burned by hot coffee. It's not the first time
-
Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
-
Las Vegas Culinary Union strike vote: Hospitality workers gear up to walk out
-
TikTok says it regrets Indonesia’s decision to ban e-commerce sales on social media platforms
-
South Carolina mechanics discover giant boa constrictor in car engine and are working to find it a home