Another weird crop-top 112 conviction

Clipped from Prachatai

41-year-old shipping company employee Phawat Hiranphon, also known as Jae Pocky, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison on a 112 charge, having been accused of participating in a protest on 20 December 2020.

Phawat was charged in February 2021 after a complaint was filed by ultra-royalist snitch, Narin Sakcharoenchaikun, who identifies with the Thai Pakdee Party, one of the country’s least popular parties.

The 20 December 2020 protest was organized by the student activist group United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. At the event, activists wore crop tops and walked around the Siam Paragon shopping mall in response to a 112 charge filed against activist Noppasin Treelayapiwat, then 16, for participating in a protest on 29 October 2020 in which he wore a black crop top. The protesters also called for the repeal of Article 112.

Several activists involved with this protest have been indicted and some of them convicted of lese majeste. Others have fled the country.

Phawat was indicted as an attendee at the protest. The court considered crop tops mocked King Vajiralongkorn for his odd dressing when he was cavorting in Germany. This act apparently damaged his reputation.

Phawat maintained that they did not attend the protest. A document presented by the prosecution stated that Phawat was aged as 17 years and 4 months when Phawat was 36 at the time, suggesting mistaken identity. Indeed, only one witness – a police inquiry officer – was prepared to identify Phawat in video clips of the protest.

Despite a flimsy and inaccurate prosecution case, Phawat was found guilty. Bail was granted pending an appeal.