By Prachatai |
<p>Ignoring the long Songkran holidays and a new surge of Covid-19 infections, people have started to demonstrate their sympathy with the pro-democracy protesters who are in detention without being proved guilty by joining the detainees in fasting and by protesting in front of the Supreme Court.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Patiwat ‘Mor Lam Bank’ Saraiyaem was allowed bail while 2 others were not, following their decision to withdraw their legal representation in protest against what they call an unfair judicial process where their right to legal consultation and the presumption of innocence were undermined</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>22 people facing charges relating to the protests on 19 – 20 September 2020, including 7 protest leaders facing lèse majesté charges, have withdrawn their legal representation in protest at court measures and treatment by prison officials which deny them the right to a fair and open trial. </p>
By Prachatai |
<p>As Covid-19 infections spread in pubs and bars, 9 people who gave speeches at the 27 March protest at Ratchaprasong intersection have been charged with violating the Emergency Decree.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Phonphimon (last name withheld), a 22-year-old online vendor from Chiang Mai, faces a royal defamation charge and a charge under the Computer Crimes Act for a Facebook post made in October 2020 and is currently still in detention.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Activist Piyarat “Toto” Chongthep was immediately re-arrested on a royal defamation charge under Section 112, Thailand’s lèse majesté law, after he was granted bail on a criminal organization charge and released from Bangkok Remand Prison.</p>
By Scholars at Risk |
<p>For the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), to be held in November 2021, <a href="https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/">Scholars at Risk (SAR)</a> has submitted a report to the Working Group, detailing the worsening situation for academic freedom and freedom of expression in Thailand.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>The public prosecutor has postponed until 13 May 2021 the hearing of 13 people involved in the <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/8881">protest in front of the German Embassy in Bangkok</a> on 26 October 2020, as the prosecutor has yet to finish the paperwork needed to file the case against the protesters.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Chukiat ‘Justin’ Saengwong, a pro-democracy protester, was arrested at night on 22 March on a charge of royal defamation and taken into police custody awaiting a court decision on bail. The court then allow the police request for temporary detention.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Activist Parit Chiwarak read out a statement during a hearing questioning the court's decision to reject bail for those who were charged with the royal defamation law and declaring that he would be fasting as an act of protest against the decision. </p>
By ARTICLE 19 |
<p>Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, which criminalises defamation, insults, and threats to members of the monarchy, is fundamentally incompatible with the right to freedom of expression, said ARTICLE 19 in a briefing published today.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>On 24 February, the Facebook page of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paritchiwarakofficial/posts/283661663121426">Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak</a> released another letter he has written from prison, where he is being held after being denied bail while he awaits trial for lèse majesté. This letter is addressed ‘From the prison to the palace’ and speaks to the king directly.</p>