31-1-2024 (BANGKOK) The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court rendered a verdict on Wednesday, convicting political activist Patsaravalee “Mind” Tanakitvibulpon of lese-majeste in connection with a speech she delivered at a protest in March 2021.
Initially facing a three-year sentence under Section 112, Patsaravalee’s punishment was reduced to two years as she provided useful testimony. Additionally, the court suspended her sentence for three years, considering her youth and lack of awareness of the repercussions of her actions.
The charges against Patsaravalee stemmed from her participation in a rally at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok, organized by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration.
Patsaravalee also faces two more lese-majeste charges related to protests at Parliament in September 2020 and the German Embassy in October 2020.
However, she was acquitted of violating the emergency decree that prohibited gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic. The court found no evidence that she organized the protest.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), as of December 31 last year, 1,938 individuals have faced prosecution for political expression since the start of the Free Youth protests in July 2020. Among them, 262 have been charged with lese-majeste under Section 112, and 138 with sedition under Section 116. In December, nine cases under Section 116 were dismissed by the courts.
In a separate development, outspoken activist Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom has been on a hunger strike since January 27 to protest against her detention after her bail was revoked.
The court revoked her bail last week for participating in a protest at the Ministry of Culture on August 6, 2023. Netiporn violated her bail conditions by allegedly spraying paint onto a flag of Her Majesty the Queen, according to witness testimony cited by the court. This action contravened the condition of her bail, which prohibited her from repeating her offence.
Netiporn is currently detained at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution. Her lawyer reported on Tuesday that she was very ill and declined any visitors. However, activists from the Talu Wang group expressed doubts about whether their colleague made such a request.
