The Appeal Court has convicted an MP from the People’s Party of royal defamation over a speech demanding the release of political prisoners in 2021. She was later granted bail, allowing her to retain her MP position.

Former pro-democracy activist Chonticha Jangrew was charged with royal defamation and violation of the Emergency Decree and the Sound Amplifier Act over an 11 September 2021 car mob protest demanding the release of the political prisoners, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Ten activists and participants were prosecuted in this case, with Chonticha the only one facing a royal defamation charge because her speech addressed the enactment and amendment of laws on royal service and assets by former Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The Court of First Instance ruled to dismiss the charges related to the Emergency Decree and Sound Amplifier Act against all ten accused on the grounds that they were not the organizers of the car mob.

Chonticha testified that her speech targeted former PM Prayut, who amended the laws regarding the royal power and assets.

However, the Court found Chonticha guilty of royal defamation, concluding that her speech could lead the audience to misunderstand that King Vajiralongkorn transferred public assets into his own personal assets and intervened in the legislative and executive branches.

The Court sentenced her to three years in prison, but because of her helpful testimony, the term was reduced to two years without suspension. Chonticha was later granted bail pending appeal.

The Appeal Court ruled on 30 September to uphold the initial verdict. She was granted bail on the same day with 150,000 baht as security, allowing her to retain her MP position.