'THIRTY YEARS JAIL FOR A FACEBOOK POST? WHO SAYS WE CAN'T BEAT THAT?'

The following is the latest statement from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, who have their work cut-out.

These moves are being perceived by many to have been prompted by the failing health of King Bhumipol Adulyadej and problems over the succession issue.

When the King dies - Thailand is not going to be a great place to take a holiday,

Thailand’s lèse majesté laws beat such things as ‘The Divine Right of Kings’ and ‘Papal Infallibility’ into a cocked hat.

But the first case is actually an accusation that military leader General Chan-o-cha and his wife transferred money worth ten billion baht to a bank account in Singapore.


This case is not taken under Thailand’s draconian criminal libel laws or Computer Crime Act libel laws, which, dare I say it have been used to harass journalists and prevent them from calling a spade a spade.

It has been taken under Section 116 of Prayuth’s penal code – as an offence designed to ‘ raise unrest and disaffection amongst the people in a manner likely to cause disturbance in the country.’

Now there’s an all-encompassing Article. In short the General seems to have granted himself ‘The Divine Right’.

11 August 2015

Press Release
August 2015: Hearing schedule of four cases represented by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR)   

In August 2015, the hearings of four cases represented by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) will take place as follows; 

1.      The case against Ms. Rinda Paruechabutr for violating Article 116 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act  

14 August 2015, 8.30am at the Bangkok Military Court, fourth hearing on remand in custody 

            Ms. Rinda was arrested by military officers and was taken from her house invoking the Order of the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) no. 3/2015 on 8 July. 

She was brought to the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to hear the charges against her including the violation of Article 116 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act’s Article 14 (2) as she was alleged to have posted Facebook messages accusing Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife to transfer money worth ten billion baht to a bank account in Singapore. On 13 July 2015, she was released on bail, but is required to be present at the Military Court every time the hearing on her remand in custody is conducted.  

2.      The case against Mr. Piya (last name withheld) for violating Article 112 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act (Black case no.O747/2015 Criminal Court)
 17 August 2015, 13.30 at the Bangkok Criminal Court, pretrial hearing. 

            Mr. Piya was arrested by police officers on 11 December 2014 being accused of posting in Facebook as “Mr. Pongsathorn Banthorn” many messages deemed insulting to the monarchy. Somebody has spotted them and reported the case against him with the officers at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). 

He is charged for violating Article 112 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act’s Article 14(3)   Previous pretrial hearing of this case was took place on 25 May 2015 as the defendant had pleaded not guilty and wanted to review the implicating evidence against him. And next schedule is 17 August 2015. 

3.      The case against Sombat Boonngamanong, aka “Bor Kor Lai Jud” for violating Article 116 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act (Black Case no. 24K/2557 Bangkok Military Court)  

             24 August 2015, 8.30am at the Bangkok Military Court, prosecution witness examination including Pol Lt Col Wanpichit Wattanasakmontha, part of the arresting team which seized evidence from the defendant. 

A social activist, Mr. Sombat Boonngamanong had been organizing symbolic actions against the coup. On 24 May 2014, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued the order no. 3/2014 summoning individuals including Mr. Sombat Boonngamanong as no.60 in the list to meet the authorities. 

He failed to turn up as requested and kept posting Facebook and twitter messages opposing the power of the coup makers. He even encouraged people to come out and expressed themselves symbolically against the coup. Later, he was arrested and held in custody invoking Martial Law. He was brought to the police for charging including his failure to turn himself in as requested by the junta order. On 4 August, the examination of prosecution witness took place including Pol Capt Methasit Phim-aphiruetiya.

4.      The case against Sombat Boonngamanong, aka “Bor Kor Lai Jud” for violating Article 112 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act. 

 26 August 2015 at the Roi-Et Provincial Office of Public Prosecutor, to hear decision on indictment by the public prosecutor. 

            Mr. Sombat Boonngamanong is being charged for violating Article 112 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act’s Article 14(3)(5) as he was alleged to have share a satirical political image on Facebook on 4 July 2014. The arrest warrant in this case was issued after the