Wave (pseudonym), a 30 year-old man from Nonthaburi, was indicted on 13 June 2023 under Article 112 and for computer crimes, accused for his criticism of Siam Bioscience’s, COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine production in 2021.
He was convicted on 11 October 2023 by the Ratchapisek Criminal Court and sentenced to 3 years in prison. The Court then reduced this to 18 months, suspended for 2 years.
The indictment stated that on 12 May 2021, Wave publicly shared and posted on Facebook a picture of King Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by a question about Siam Bioscience’s vaccine production, criticizing Siam Bioscience for using taxpayer money in COVID-19 vaccine production.
The latter point is, of course, factual. Siam Bioscience was supported with taxpayer funds. It remains opaque whether Siam Bioscience actually produced large quantities of the vaccine and whether these were much used.
As is now common, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said that the complaint was filed by Nopadol Prompasit, a member of the ultra-royalist vigilantes Thailand Help Centre for Cyberbullying Victims.
The complainant alleged that the messages constituted “defamation, insult, or malicious intent towards King Vajiralongkorn.” Wave was accused of intentionally damaging the monarchy, allegedly leading to the loss of respect towards the king. His message was also alleged to contain false information, involving an offense related to national security under the Criminal Code.
Wave acknowledged the charge at the Technology Crime Suppression Division on 23 May 2022.
Wave denied all charges, and the court granted bail.
The Ratchapisek Criminal Court suspended the sentence because it decided that Wave might still become a “good citizen.” He is now required to report to a probation officer four times in the next year and to do 24 hours of community service within two years.
Media accounts of Wave’s case:
Prachatai, 11 October 2023: “Man convicted for royal defamation over post about Siam Bioscience company”
Prachatai, 14 June 2023: “Man indicted for royal defamation for criticizing Siam Bioscience’s vaccine production“
Political Prisoners in Thailand 