Court grants bail to activist Tantawan after 2-year prison sentence in royal insult case

BANGKOK — The Criminal Court on Monday granted bail to activist Tantawan Tuatulanon after sentencing her to two years in prison for royal defamation over a 2022 Facebook livestream filmed ahead of a royal motorcade.

The court handed down the verdict on 31 August in case No. A1237/2022, brought by prosecutors against Tantawan, a former member of the Thaluwang activist group.

She was charged under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, commonly known as the lèse-majesté law, as well as Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act and offenses related to resisting or obstructing officials and failing to comply with an official order.

The case stems from an incident in March 2022, when Tantawan livestreamed on Facebook from a footpath on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, opposite the United Nations office, shortly before a royal motorcade was due to pass.

Tantawan denied the charges and had remained on bail during the case.

The court initially sentenced her to three years in prison under Section 112 for defaming and threatening the King. It also fined her 900 baht for failing to comply with an official order.

The court said Tantawan’s defense had provided some useful evidence warranting a one-third reduction in her sentence, reducing the prison term to two years without suspension and the fine to 600 baht.

The court also ordered the confiscation of an iPhone submitted as evidence.

Following the verdict, Tantawan’s lawyer filed a bail request with 100,000 baht in security.

The court approved her temporary release but imposed a condition barring her from leaving Thailand unless she receives prior permission from the court.