As more people join the protest on bail rights, three more detainees were allowed bail after being in jail for months for taking part in political protests. 

Sitthichok Sethasavet (Photo from iLaw)

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported on 10 February that Sitthichok Sethasavet, a detained food rider, was allowed bail by the Supreme Court, a final feat after the Court of Appeal denied the temporary release during an ongoing appeal. 

Found guilty for royal defamation and arson after burning a decorative arch with the King’s photo on it during a protest, he has been imprisoned since 17 January. The Court decided that he had no intention of fleeing and allowed him to be released with 130,000 baht security bond. 

His lawyer is now processing the documents necessary for his release.

Sitthichok, another detainee, has been released during an ongoing dry fasting protest staged by Tantawan 'Tawan' Tuatulanon and Orawan 'Bam' Phuphong. The two activists have refused bail to protest in prison since mid-January. Despite being granted bail earlier this week, their protest continues until all detainees are to be released.

A day before Sitthichok’s bail being granted, Sombat Thongyoi, a protest guard, and Kongpet (surname withheld), another political detainee, were allowed bail. 

Sombat Thongyoi

Sombat has been in prison for 9 months after being found guilty under royal defamation law for a post using the words “Very good. Very brave. Thank you,” an expression earlier spoken by King Vajiralongkorn. He was allowed to post a 70,000 baht security by the Court of Appeals while the case is on appeal.

Kongpet was arrested and charged in 2022 with possession of an explosive device and assaulting officers. He is accused of throwing home-made explosive objects into the 1st Infantry Regiment. Katatorn, another defendant in the case, has not been allowed bail. 

Another convicts related to explosive device possession, Tatphong Khieukhao, was also released from his temporary detention on 8 February. He was arrested on 21 November 2022 after participating in a protest during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting hosted by Thailand.

Excluding the released and soon-to-be released detainees, 8 people are still under detention for participating in political protests that call for political and monarchy reforms. All are being detained pending trial.

Tantawan and Orawan began their fast to demand the release of political prisoners and the reform of the judicial system to guarantee human rights and freedom of expression.  They want the courts to be independent and protect people’s freedom. They call on judges to make decisions without intervention from their superiors.

They have also called for charges to be dropped against those doing little more than exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. They demand that every political party move to guarantee people’s rights, freedoms, and political participation by backing the repeal of the royal defamation land sedition laws.

Their demands have met a favourable response both inside and outside the prison. Protests have been held in many major cities. Inside the prison, political detainees have also staged acts of civil disobedience.

On 7 February, Sopon Surariddhidhamrong, a monarchy reform activist detained while pending trial, and two other prisoners announced they would refuse food and sleep to support the fasters’ demands. 

Before his release, Sitthichok joined the hunger strike with Tantawan and Orawan. He was transferred to Thammasat hospital. 

Mongkhon Thirakot, who was recently sentenced to 28 years in prison for royal defamation for a number of Facebook posts, has been on a hunger strike, sitting in front of the Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court in solidarity with Tantawan and Orawan.