On 29 April 2024, at the Criminal Court, Ratchadaphisek, the Office of the Attorney General (Special Prosecutor Division for Criminal Cases 7) issued an indictment against two student activists: Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul and Niraphorn “Bee” Onkaew, on charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and Section 14(3) of the Computer Crimes Act. The charges stem from allegations that the two served as administrators of the Facebook page “United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration” and published three posts concerning monarchy reforms in 2021.
The complaint was filed by Noppadol Prompasit, former secretary of the Center for Legal Assistance for Victims of Online Harassment. Inquiry officials included Police Lieutenant Colonel Nitithorn Decharapee, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wiphat Rachin, and Police Sub-lieutenant Pranya from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). Panusaya was formally informed of the charge on 15 December 2021, while in custody for another case involving crop top protest attire. Meanwhile, Niraphorn was formally notified on 17 November 2021, and was not detained at that time.
The police submitted the case file to the prosecutor on 19 April 2022. After over two years, Kasem Phattharasornkulnannon, the assigned public prosecutor, proceeded with the indictment under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and Section 14(3) of the Computer Crimes Act.
The prosecution alleges that the two defendants jointly posted the following three messages via the Facebook page “United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration”, which were deemed defamatory toward the monarchy:
- Post 1 – 10 August 10 2020, at 10.12 PM
A statement titled “Announcement No. 1 of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration,” outlining 10 demands for reform of the monarchy, aiming to place the institution under a democratic framework subject to public scrutiny and criticism. - Post 2 – 10 January 2021, at 10.34 AM
A message stating: “Thammasat University (Rangsit) #MyTaxes #Abolish112”, accompanied by nine images of King Rama X and royal family members with spray-painted phrases of “Abolish 112” and “My Taxes.” - Post 3 – 6 October 2021, at 1.32 PM
An image of King Rama X that had been digitally altered in a satirical manner, with accompanying text referring to the monarchy’s role in the massacre on 6 October 1976.
According to the prosecution, the three posts employed distorted computer data to defame, insult, and incite malice against the King, constituting a direct offense to the monarchy’s dignity. The content was said to aim at undermining the institution and eroding public reverence and faith in the monarchy, an entity constitutionally protected from violation.
The prosecution objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the case’s implications for national security.
However, defense counsel and representatives from the Will of the People Fund submitted bail applications for both defendants. The Court granted bail, set at 90,000 THB per person with no additional conditions imposed. A pre-trial evidence review hearing is scheduled for 23 September 2024, at 1.30 PM.
Panusaya is currently facing 10 charges under Section 112, while Niraphorn faces 2 such charges, both involving their alleged joint administrative role in the Facebook page “United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration”.
Additionally, both were previously co-defendants with Benja Apan in another Section 112 case involving posts from the same Facebook page. The case is scheduled for witness examination from 7-9 May 2024 at the Criminal Court.
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