Arnon Nampa’s prison term reaches 38 years after latest lese-majeste conviction

BANGKOK – Thai human rights lawyer and activist Arnon Nampa’s cumulative prison sentence has reached 38 years after the Criminal Court on Friday sentenced him and four other activists to two years and eight months each in another lese-majeste case.

The court initially sentenced each of the five defendants to four years in prison under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which concerns insulting the monarchy, before reducing their terms by one-third because their testimony was partly beneficial to the proceedings. The sentences are without suspension.

The case stemmed from a protest on 25 November 2020 outside the headquarters of Siam Commercial Bank in Bangkok, organised by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration and Free Youth groups. About 2,000 people gathered to demand the resignation of then-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, constitutional amendments and monarchy reform.

The seven defendants were Arnon, Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Panupong “Mike” Jadnok, Wannawalee “Tee” Thammasatya, Phongsathorn “Boy” Tancharoen, Prommasorn “Fah” Weerathamjaree and Nawat “Amp” Liangwattana.

The court found five defendants, including Arnon, guilty under Section 112, ruling that the prosecution’s evidence was credible and that their actions went beyond the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Parit and Panupong, who remain at large, were not among those sentenced on Friday.

The defendants had denied the charges.

Arnon had previously received prison sentences in several other cases. His lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharas, said Friday’s verdict brought his cumulative prison term to 38 years. He added that Arnon still faces several pending cases, mostly involving Section 112.

Krisadang said the defence would seek bail for defendants who are not subject to detention orders in other cases so they can appeal the verdict.