Jailed human rights lawyer gets additional 2 years for Lèse Majesté

An imprisoned human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist was sentenced by the Criminal Court today to an additional two years and eight months in prison on a lèse majesté conviction.

Arnon, along with four other co-defendants, was found guilty of lèse majesté offences over remarks made during a mass rally concerning military reshuffles and the transfer of Crown Properties assets to the private ownership of HM the King.

These remarks were deemed an insult to the monarchy. Each was initially sentenced to four years in prison without suspension, but the sentences were commuted to two years and eight months.

The four co-defendants were Parit Chiwarak, Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, Pimsiri Petchnamrob, and Promsorn Veerathammacharee. Parit fled the country to seek political asylum abroad.

The sixth co-defendant, Natthathida Meewangpla, was acquitted.

Arnon has been in prison since 2023, serving cumulative sentences exceeding 28 years on multiple lèse majesté convictions.