Activist’s bail revoked for calling on people to wear black on king’s birthday

Yesterday (22 November), the Criminal Court revoked bail for student activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul on charges arising from her participation in the 19 – 20 September 2020 protest.

Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul

The Court ruled that Panusaya violated her bail conditions by continuing to give speeches at protests and by using social media to mobilise protesters. It also ruled that a picture she posted of herself wearing black accompanied by a call for people to wear black on 28 July 2021, King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday, is damaging to the monarchy, a further violation of her bail conditions.

Panusaya is currently being held in pre-trial detention on a royal defamation charge relating to another protest on 20 December 2020, in which activists wore crop tops at Siam Paragon shopping mall to campaign for the repeal of the royal defamation law.

Meanwhile, the Court ruled not to revoke bail for Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan, lead singer for pop band The Bottom Blues, and student activist Panupong Jadnok. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the court ruled that, even though Chaiamorn and Panupong continued to attend protest and give speeches, their actions were not severe enough to warrant bail revocation.  Nonetheless, both were ordered to wear electronic monitoring bracelets and prohibited from leaving their residences for any reason other than a medical emergency between 16.00 – 5.00 without court permission. 

Panupong is currently being detained pending trial on several royal defamation charges stemming from protests in November – December 2020. The court ruled that the new conditions will take effect upon his release and stipulated that his bail be revoked if he does not meet them. 

The order was signed by judge Parit Piyanaratorn, Deputy Chief Justice of the Criminal Court.

Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan

Similar conditions were imposed upon activist and human right lawyer Anon Nampa earlier this month when the Court ruled not to revoke his bail on charges relating to the same protest. Instead, he was ordered to remain in his residence and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. The conditions have yet to take effect as he is still being detained on separate charges stemming from his participation in protests on 3 August 2020, 14 October 2020, and 3 August 2021.

Meanwhile, the court revoked bail without holding a hearing for activists Parit Chiwarak and Jatupat Boonpattararaksa on charges relating to the same protest. Both are being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

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