The Appeal Court has sentenced three protesters to life imprisonment over a blast outside Samyan Mitrtown during a 16 January 2021 protest. The term was later reduced to 33 years’ imprisonment.

Natthasut 24, Pornchai 28, and Weerayut 33 (surnames withheld) were charged with six criminal violations: attempted murder of officials on duty, causing an explosion likely to harm others and damage property, carrying weapons into public place without reasonable ground, and violating the Firearm and Control of Armaments Acts, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

The explosion occurred during a 16 January 2021 protest held near Samyan Mitrtown to demand the release of two protesters, who had been arrested earlier. While police were securing the area, a blast, followed by smoke and sparks, was reported in front of Chamjuree Square.

The defendants were arrested on 28-29 January 2021. No lawyer was present during the arrest and subsequent police interrogation. They were held at the Bangkok Remand Prison for one month before being granted bail.

On 1 November 2022, the Court of First Instance ruled to dismiss all charges against Natthasut and dismissed charges of attempted murder against the other two defendants. Pornchai and Weerayut were sentenced to three years and six months in prison with a 1,000 baht fine.

Their terms were later reduced to around two years and a 500 baht fine. They were later granted bail pending appeal. However, the prosecutor decided to appeal the case, requesting that the Court reconsider its verdict.

Pornchai and Weerayut also appealed the case on the ground that they had done little more than set off a giant firecracker, not an explosive device, and that they had thrown it on the ground without targeting anyone, to disrupt police efforts to disperse protesters.

Noting that a police report found no severe damage and victim testimony indicated only minor injuries, they argued that the firecracker they set off was not a life-threatening device.

On Tuesday (26 August), however, the Appeal Court overturned the initial verdict, reversing the acquittal of Pornchai and Weerayut and finding all three guilty as charged.

They were sentenced to life imprisonment and a 1,000 baht fine.  Due to their helpful testimonies, the term was reduced to 33 years and four months with a 666.66 baht fine.

They are currently being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on bail requests.