A 29-year-old pro-democracy activist and artist has been given a 3-year suspended sentence in prison after being charged with royal defamation for posting a drawing of King Vajiralongkorn on social media.

Torpad, an artist who drew pictures of the pro-democracy protests, was arrested on 30 June 2022 by 11 police officers after being charged under royal defamation law and Computer Crimes Act. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reports that Torpad never received a summons, although police claim to have issued an arrest warrant on 26 April 2022. The arresting officers seized her drawings, computer, and mobile phone.

A complaint was reportedly filed against her with the Technology Crime Suppression Division on 16 September 2021. According to the complaint, the defendant posted a distorted drawing of the King which appeared to be defamatory on Instagram. Torpad denied the allegation. At the time, she was granted provisional bail with 90,000 baht as security, on the condition that she not repeat the crime she was charged with.

Sentencing was scheduled for 29 August 2024 but Torpad failed to appear in court.

On Thursday (3 October), the court found her guilty as charged, sentencing her to 3 years in prison for royal defamation. Because she pleaded guilty, the sentence was reduced to 1 year and 6 months.

As she had never been imprisoned before and did not cause severe damage, she was given a 3-year suspension and a 2-year probation period, with the condition that she perform 24 hours of social service. She was also prohibited from committing any act offensive to the monarchy. All other charges were dismissed.