Piyarat convicted on 112

Clipped from Thai PBS

Back in October 2024, the Kalasin Provincial Court acquitted People’s Party’s party-list MP Piyarat Chongthep  of an Article 112 charge, citing insufficient evidence.

As is common, the prosecutor appealed, and the Appeals Court has dutifully overturned the provincial court’s verdict, finding Piyarat guilty and sentenced him to three years in prison, without suspension.

Piyarat was accused of erecting a sign board with fellow activists criticizing Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government over its “dubious procurement of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, which was deemed by the court as having defamed the monarchy (lèse majesté).”

The banners were alleged to have:

messages such as “Giving the spotlight to the palace,” “Vaccine company monopoly,” “Conflict of interest,” and “Royal favour.” Pictures of the banners were also posted on Piyarat’s Facebook page and the We Volunteer Twitter account.

The public prosecutor “said the messages on the banners could lead the public to understand that the King monopolized the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, which severely damaged the King’s reputation.”

Of course, at the time, this was pretty much true, but the Appeals Court is ruling for the palace, not for truth.

Piyarat’s lawyer has applied for bail for Piyarat, pending an appeal to the Supreme Court, and he was released on a 300,000 baht bail, on the condition that he not leave the country without its permission. He retains his status as an MP.