A pro-democracy activist has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for royal defamation after throwing dog food at an image of the King. The activist was later granted bail pending appeal. 

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that Promsorn “Fah” Veerathamjaree, who was convicted under a royal defamation law after attending a protest demanding the release of activist Sirichai Natueng on 14 January 2021, was sentenced to prison for throwing dog food at King Vajiralongkorn’s image. Following the protest, several other activists faced charges.

Promsorn’s case was separated from those of other activists who faced multiple charges, including violations of the royal defamation law, the Communicable Disease Act, the Emergency Decree, the Sound Amplifier Act, the Cleanliness Act, and the Public Assembly Act.

During the defence testimony earlier this year, he withdrew his evidence and pleaded guilty. The Thanyaburi Provincial Court subsequently ordered the public prosecutor to bring a new separate case against him.

The indictment stated that he and other protesters threw dog food at an image of King Vajiralongkorn displayed above the Khlong Luang Police Station’s name sign, which was seen as a symbolic insult implying that the police were dogs and the King was the owner of the dogs.

Promsorn was also found to have used words that could lead to misunderstanding, suggesting that he intended to throw dog food at the King’s portrait and use offensive and insulting words.

The Court ruled on Monday (3 March) that he was guilty and sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison.

In addition to the royal defamation charge, the court found Promsorn guilty of violating the Communicable Disease Act, the Public Assembly Act, and insulting officials. The court denied a suspended sentence.

However, the term was reduced to two years and ten months in prison following his guilty plea. Promsorn was released on bail pending appeal with 150,000 as security.

Promsorn has faced six royal defamation cases, three of which reached verdicts. He was previously sentenced to two years in prison for singing a modified version of the royal anthem at the same January 2021 protest and three years and six months for his protest speech on 31 October 2021. Both sentences were reduced following his guilty pleas, and he was granted bail in both cases.