Left to right: Nutthanit and Netiporn (Source: Ginger cat)

2 monarchy reform activists granted bail, another arrested

On 4 August, the South Bangkok Criminal Court granted bail for monarchy reform activists Nutthanit and Netiporn, who have been held in pre-trial detention on royal defamation charges for 94 days. Meanwhile, a traditional Thai dancer-turned-activist, has been arrested.

From left to right: Netiporn and Nutthanit (File photo, taken by Suramet Noyubon)

According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the released activists each had to post a 200,000 baht security. They are prohibited from repeating their offences and interfering with court proceedings. They must also stay in their homes between 19.00 - 6.00, must not leave the country, and must report to court every 30 days.

As both Nutthanit and Netiporn were detained on the orders of other courts, their lawyers had to post additional bail requests for those charges as well. At 16.30 the Criminal Court finally granted bail for Nutthanit on a different royal defamation charge, setting a 200,000 baht security and lifting her a detention order.

Netiporn faced a standing detention order on charges relating to a 13 July 2021 protest at the Ministry of Public Health to call attention to the uneven distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. Bail was granted for the case at 17.15.

After being released from the Central Women’s Correctional Institution at about 20.00, the two were taken for a health checkup at a local hospital.

Repeatedly denied bail, they had been on a hunger strike in protest for the past 64 days, the longest staged at the prison in 8 years.

Mint, concealing a half of her face behind a performance mask.

In a separate development, Mint (pseudonym), a traditional Thai dancer-turned-activist, has been arrested at her house on a royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act for posting a picture of a protest sign criticising the handling of royal defamation cases.

The officers initially told Mint that they were taking her to Yannawa Police Station and that she should tell her lawyer to meet there. However, the police later detained her at the narcotics suppression bureau, which is outside Yannawa police's jurisdiction. The temporary detention request will be made at the Court on 5 August afternoon.

At 17.00 on 5 August, the Court allowed her to be bailed with 200,000 baht as securities. She was prohibited from repeating their offences and interfering with court proceedings, must stay at home between 19.00 - 6.00, and must not leave the country.

Apart from the two individuals who have just been released and Mint, at least 28 political dissidents and activists are still being detained as of 4 August.

Note: Prachatai English added an update on Mint's case at 17.14 of 5 August 2022.

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