One more person faces possible life sentence for alleged acts during royal motorcade

Police have issued an additional arrest warrant for a protester who allegedly attempted to “harm the HM the Queen’s liberty” during a royal motorcade last week. The motorcade happened to be on the same day and same route as a pro-democracy protest in Bangkok. So far, 3 protesters face charges for an alleged “act of violence against the HM the Queen’s liberty” and could face up to life in prison if found guilty.

Suranat Paenprasert, a coordinator for Active Youth, now faces charges of 16 to 20 years in prison, or even up to life in prison, for allegedly violating Section 110 of Thailand’s Criminal Code which prohibits acts of violence against the HM the Queen or Her liberty.

Section 110: Violence against the Queen

Whoever commits an act of violence against the Queen or Her liberty, the Heir-apparent or His liberty, or the Regent or his/her liberty, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of sixteen to twenty years.

2 other protesters, Ekkachai Hongkangwan and Boonkueanoon Paothong, also face the same charges of alleged “violence against the Queen’s liberty” during the royal motorcade. The New York Times reports the “act of violence” was apparently yelling at the royal motorcade. In photos, crowds of protesters were seen on the royal motorcade route holding their hands up in the 3-finger salute, a symbol of defiance.

Many of the protesters were also shouting “our taxes”, in Thai, at the occupants of the yellow Rolls Royce.

Ekkachai and Boonkueanoon may also face charges under Thailand’s lèse majesté law under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, according to an earlier report from the Bangkok Post. If found guilty, the additional charge would make their punishment more severe.

Section 112: Insulting or Defaming the Royal Family

Whoever, defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.

SOURCES: Nation Thailand | New York Times