Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa has been sentenced to two years in prison for a seventh royal defamation case related to a speech he delivered during a 2020 protest at Chiang Mai University. He is currently facing a total of 20 years for royal defamation.

The case stemmed from a speech he delivered at Chiang Mai University on 23 November 2020. Anon and activist Parit Chiwarak, who recently sought asylum overseas, were again charged with royal defamation. In the speech, Anon addressed royal assets, King Vajiralongkorn's significant shareholding in Siam Commercial Bank and Siam Cement Group, and the transfer of state-owned land to his majesty as private property.

He was charged on 18 February 2021. When indicted on 9 January 2023,  he yet to be jailed for earlier cases. The Chiang Mai Provincial Court granted him bail with 150,000 baht as security and the condition that he not commit any acts similar to the one he was charged with.

Anon admitted delivering the speech, testifying that the matter of royal power expansion was widely discussed on social media by members of the younger generation during the 2020 mass protests.

He explained that his speech reflected controversial issues that he and other members of his generation found questionable. By way of example, he cited former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s admission of 10 January 2017 that the King ordered an amendment of the Constitution, which had already been approved by a public referendum in 2016.   

Arnon argued this amounted to a significant expansion of royal power which violated democratic principles, contradicting the principle that “the King can do no wrong.” He pointed out that the transfer of two military units to the royal guard unit also violated the Constitution and stated his objection to the revised Crown Property Act of 2017, which allows Crown assets to be treated as the King’s personal property.

The human rights lawyer added that his speech was grounded in laws and facts,and delivered in good faith with the intent to uphold a genuine constitutional monarchy - where the King is under the Constitution and the people have the right to express their opinions, including criticism.

The Court on Thursday (27 March) sentenced Anon to three years in prison. Due to his guilty plea, the term was reduced to two years. This is his seventh royal defamation case and he is presently facing a cumulative prison sentence of 20 years, 19 months, and 20 days.