Musician Chokdee “Alex” Rompruk and citizen reporter Waranya “Nui” Sae-ngo have been found guilty of royal defamation and given a suspended prison sentence of 4 years for singing two songs by the protest band Faiyen during a protest on 23 August 2022.

Chokdee "Alex" Rompruk (second from left) and Waranya "Nui" Sae-ngo (third from left) with their supporters at the Criminal Court on 9 May. (Photo by Ginger Cat)

Waranya was arrested on 1 September 2022 and charged for singing two songs by Faiyen called “Lucky to have Thai People” and “Who killed King Rama 8?”, both of which are critical of the monarchy. She was also charged for livestreaming herself singing.

Chokdee reported to the police on 3 March 2022 after being contacted by the police and told that he was being charged because he was playing guitar while Waranya was singing.

The complaint against them was filed by Akkhrawut Kraisisombat, a member of the ultra-royalist group Vocational Students Protecting the Institution.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said on Thursday (9 May) that the Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court found Chokdee and Waranya guilty of royal defamation. It also found Waranya guilty of violation of the Computer Crimes Act.

Chokdee and Waranya were sentenced to 6 years in prison, reduced to 4 years because they confessed. The Court then suspended their sentence for 2 years on the grounds that they expressed remorse and promised not to defame the monarchy again. It noted that the two defendants were not protest leaders, are both working, and have a permanent residence, and took into consideration their family responsibilities and health issues.

Chokdee and Waranya will be subjected to a 1-year probation period, during which they have to report to a probation officer every 3 months. They are also required to perform at least 24 hours of community service.

Chokdee is facing another royal defamation charge for singing at another protest on 23 August 2022. Waranya is facing another royal defamation charge for livestreaming while activists conducted a poll on royal motorcades at the Siam Paragon shopping mall on 8 February 2022.