5 people detained on a royal defamation charges were released on Wednesday morning (27 August) after becoming eligible for early release under a Royal Pardon Decree issued on 29 July 2025.

Detained student activist Sirapob Phumphengphut has been admitted to Thammasat University Hospital after spending 22 days on a hunger strike to demand the release of political prisoners.

Sirapob Phumpheungphut, a student activist detained pending appeal on a royal defamation charge, has gone on a hunger strike after 333 days in detention and being repeatedly denied bail.

Political prisoners held at the Bangkok Remand Prison and their friends and family have said that they are having a hard time staying connected after the prison shop suspended the sale of pens and the prison imposed a new regulation on detainees’ letters.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation, a South Korea-based foundation established to remember the spirit of democratic struggle and solidarity during the 18 May 1980 uprising in South Korea, issued a statement today (3 April) demanding the release of activists Anon Nampa and Sirapob Phumpheungphut, both of whom are detained pending appeal on a royal defamation charge.

Student activist Sirapob Phumpheungphut has been found guilty of royal defamation and sentenced to prison over a speech given at a protest on 18 November 2020 about the monarchy’s role in Thai politics.

<p>An ex-detainee and socialist activist has addressed activists&#39; difficulties in getting bail. This, together with poor conditions within prisons, has forced many political prisoners to confess.</p>