A Bangkok court sentenced a leading figure in Thailand’s pro-democracy movement to four years in prison for lese majeste under a controversial law that younger generations are calling for reform.
Anon Numpa, a 39-year-old lawyer, was charged over a speech he gave in 2020 in front of the Democracy Monument, a symbolic meeting point of the progressive camp in the heart of the capital.
At the time, massive demonstrations rocked the kingdom to demand a major overhaul of the powerful monarchy, which was protected by a royal libel law deemed too strict.
The lese majeste text, known in Thailand under the article number in the penal code (“112”), punishes any insult to the king or his family with up to fifteen years in prison.
Anon Numpa was also fined 20,000 baht (520 euros) for violating the state of emergency in force in 2020 to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
His lawyer said after the verdict that they would likely appeal.
“It is a sacrifice of my freedom that I am willing to accept,” said the activist as he arrived in court accompanied by his partner and their child.
“Since the 2020 movement, we have seen many changes in Thai politics (…) If I were sentenced to prison today (Tuesday), it would take many years, but it would be worth it,” he continued.
It is “a long prison sentence for exercising your rights,” responded Andrea Giorgetta from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH, non-governmental organization).
Since the democracy protests erupted, more than 200 people, including minors, have been charged with violating the lese majeste law.
Human rights organizations denounced the misuse of the text to target opponents of the generals then in power.
Abolishing Article 112 was one of the key promises of the pro-democracy Move Forward party, which won parliamentary elections last May.
But the progressive formation was pushed back to the gates of power by the military-royalist elites who dominate the institutions and reject their program, which was considered too radical.
New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, at the head of a broad coalition that includes pro-army movements, assured before her inauguration that she would not touch any lese majeste issue.