Protests

Student arrested in dormitory at night, charged with lèse majesté offences

Published

Friday, January 15, 2021 11:10

PHOTO: TLHR Twitter / Lawyer Center for Human Rights

A student at Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus has been arrested and charged with violating Thailand’s strict lèse majesté law. Ironically, it was his calls for the law to be abolished that led to Sirichai Natueng, aka, “New”, being charged. The group, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, has confirmed the student’s arrest on its Twitter page.

After being taken into custody, the pro-democracy activist was driven to Khlong Luang police station, in the central province of Pathum Thani, just outside Bangkok. Other anti-government activists, including Parit Chiwarak, aka, “Penguin”, and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul (“Rung”) followed, accompanied by representatives from TLHR.

Since the arrest, the hashtags #saveนิวมธ (Save New) and #ยกเลิกม112 (Cancel Section 112) have been trending on Twitter. Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code is the law governing lèse majesté, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Sirichai, a member of the pro-democracy group United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, has been charged with 2 lèse majesté offences. He is accused of defacing an image of the Monarchy, as well as the Rangsit campus sign, with graffiti calling for the abolition of the lèse majesté law.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

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7 Comments

Ynwaps

Friday, January 15, 2021 at 11:43 am

Scare tactics! Let this not discourage you from fighting for your freedom. The freedom of not having to wear uniforms. The freedom of spraying graffiti on walls.

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Mister Stretch

Friday, January 15, 2021 at 4:22 pm

Don’t I remember HRH saying he didn’t want people to be prosecuted under 112?

“King Vajiralongkorn has instructed the Thai government not to use Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, or the lèse-majesté law, to prosecute civilians, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said on Monday.” – Thai Enquirer June 15, 2020

Seems someone is not listening to HRH. Wouldn’t that qualify as a crime?

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- preesy chepuce
  
  Friday, January 15, 2021 at 11:02 pm
  
  Clearly, the government must respect the wishes of his majesty.
  
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- Andr
  
  Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 9:47 pm
  
  Must for sure qualify as a lèse-majesté offence. Not respecting what the german have ordered.
  
  When will we see Thailand 0.1?
  
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john wainewright

Friday, January 15, 2021 at 8:42 pm

after trump leaves so should the illegal prime minister of thailand.
they are both despots

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- donttalkstupid
  
  Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 5:00 pm
  
  Don’t talk stupid
  
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Leo Z

Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 5:54 am

So, cannot mention the law that you and others want repealed. Sounds like…..China.

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Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

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