A Thailand court imposed an additional four-year imprisonment on activist and human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa for defaming the Thai royal family and violating the Computer Crime Act through two social media posts made between January and April 2021.
The court found Arnon guilty of using Facebook in early 2021 to disseminate false claims that King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also known as King Rama X, was directly administering the country. These actions were deemed as violating democratic principles and threatening national security. Initially sentenced to six years, Arnon’s sentence was reduced to four years due to his cooperation and the usefulness of his evidence during the trial.
This recent verdict raises Arnon’s total prison term to 14 years, with 10 more cases still pending. Held at Bangkok Remand Prison since his first sentencing on September 26, 2023, for his speech at a rally advocating for monarchy reform, Arnon recently received his second conviction and another four-year imprisonment for similar allegations under Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws.
Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code stipulates that individuals defaming, insulting, or threatening the royal family can face up to 15 years of imprisonment per conviction. Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws classify such offenses as security threats under section 7 of the Thai Criminal Code.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) has repeatedly expressed concern over the use of lèse-majesté charges against activists like Arnon. In March, OHCHR stated, “Criticism and speeches about reforming the monarchy to support human rights should be protected and promoted in a democratic society.” OHCHR called on Thai authorities to reverse the verdict and drop all remaining charges against Arnon Nampa. UN experts argued that Article 112 contravenes international human rights standards, emphasizing that punishing individuals for advocating human rights or exercising freedom of expression is inconsistent with Thailand’s international obligations.
Since July 2020, at least 1,954 individuals have faced prosecution for participating in political protests or expressing political opinions, as per a recent report by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). Out of these, 272 individuals are charged under Article 112 in over 300 cases.
Arnon is widely recognized for his outspoken criticism of the Thai monarchy, a controversial stance in Thailand. Initially known as a human rights defender, Arnon rose to prominence by offering legal support in sensitive cases and advocating for vulnerable groups. His involvement in the pro-democracy movement led to multiple criminal charges, solidifying his role as a leading figure in the 2021-2021 Thai protests advocating for monarchical reforms.