The Appeal Court has found activist-turned-People’s Party MP Piyarat Chongthep guilty of royal defamation for putting up banners criticising the government’s Covid-19 vaccine procurement in 2021. 

The banners contained messages such as “Giving the spotlight to the palace,” “Vaccine company monopoly,” “Conflict of interest,” and “Royal favour.” Pictures of the banners were also posted on Piyarat’s Facebook page and the We Volunteer Twitter account.

The public prosecutor indicted him in June 2021,. stated claiming that on 23 January 2021, Piyarat and others jointly created banners containing messages that were defamatory towards the King. They also placed these banners in public spaces, including a royal arch, and posted the pictures on public social media accounts.

The prosecutor said the messages on the banners could lead the public to understand that the King monopolized the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, which severely damaged the King’s reputation.

Witnesses were heard in July 2022. However, Piyarat requested 6 postponements of defence witness examination hearings, 4 times because parliament was in session and twice because his lawyer was representing another client in a hearing.

The court on 1 July 2024 ordered an end to defence witness examination. The order came after the court refused to postpone the remaining witness examination hearing scheduled for 1 – 2 July, which took place while Piyarat was visiting Poland with the House of Representatives Standing Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform.

He later filed a request with the Kalasin Provincial Court calling for the repeal of the order, insisting that he has never asked to postpone a hearing unless absolutely necessary.

The Kalasin Provincial Court acquitted him in October 2024, citing insufficient evidence.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said on 20 May that the Appeal Court overturned the Kalasin Provincial Court’s ruling. Instead, it found Piyarat guilty of royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act and sentenced him to 3 years in prison.

It ruled that although no witness could confirm that Piyarat put up the banners, there was enough circumstantial evidence to find him guilty. It noted that the truck used to transport the banners was registered to Piyarat's mother and was previously used during protests. His van was also seen in CCTV footage following the truck. This suggests that Piyarat was among those who put the banners or knew of the action.

The court noted that the "We Volunteer" Twitter account and the related Facebook page are connected to Piyarat. It also noted that similar messages to the banners were posted on the accounts before the banners were placed, as well as other messages disrespecting the monarchy. 

Piyarat has been granted bail pending an appeal to the Supreme Court with a cash security of 300,000 baht. The court also prohibited him from leaving the country without court permission.