Move Forward Party MP jailed for 2 years for royal defamation

Thanya Buri Provincial Court sentenced Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Chonthicha Jangrew to two years in prison for royal defamation under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

The verdict, delivered today, originally imposed a three-year sentence but was subsequently reduced to two years with no suspension. Another charge against Chonthicha for violating the emergency decree on public gatherings was dismissed by the court.

The legal proceedings followed a rally on September 11, 2021, where Chonthicha and nine other activists protested in front of the court in Thanya Buri district, Pathum Thani, demanding the release of political prisoners.

Chonthicha, after hearing the verdict, applied for and was granted bail to contest the case in the Appeal Court, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. She will maintain her status as an MP during this legal process.

MFP leader Chaithawat Tulathon expressed hope for Chonthicha before entering the court building, hoping for her bail approval if found guilty.

Chonthicha is one of three MPs from the main opposition party facing royal defamation charges.

Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork received a six-year prison sentence in December 2023 for lese majeste and computer crime related to online comments made between July 18 and August 9, 2021.

Rukchanok is currently free on bail pending an appeal.

Additionally, Bangkok MP Piyarat “Toto” Jongthep is dealing with three charges under Section 112 linked to his role as a leader of the WeVo guards during the anti-government protests in 2020 and 2021, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights is working to secure bail for 19 political prisoners, predominantly those charged under Section 112, commonly known as the lese majeste law, to uphold their human rights.

In other related news, in a poignant gathering to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Black May protests, politicians, academics, activists, and relatives of those killed in the 1992 crackdown honoured the fallen democracy heroes.