Man sentenced to 28 years in prison for ‘insulting’ Thai monarchy

A Thai court sentenced a political activist to 28 years in prison on Thursday for posting on Facebook what it deemed to be insulting remarks about the monarchy of the nation. Mongkol Tirakote was found guilty of two royal defamation offenses by a court in the northern city of Chiang Rai.

Critics claim that the legal system is frequently abused to stifle public discourse

The 29-year-old, an activist and online apparel seller, was arrested last August for violating the lese majeste legislation in 14 of 27 posts. The current monarch, his queen, his heirs, and any regent are all subject to the law, which is regarded as one of the strictest in the entire world. Each offense brings a three- to 15-year prison sentence.

Critics claim that the legal system is frequently abused to stifle public discourse. Pro-democracy demonstrations organized by students targeted the monarchy in 2020. Legal action was taken vigorously, which had not previously been the case.

This was the second-highest prison term imposed by a Thai court for a royal defamation case

His attorney informed AFP that after his evidence, his 42-year prison term was lowered. According to his lawyer, Mongkol will also file an appeal against the ruling, and the court has set a bond amount of 300,000 baht ($9,100) for him. Mongkol will return to court in March to answer a third, distinct accusation of royal defamation stemming from internet posts from the previous year.

This was the second-highest prison term imposed by a Thai court for a royal defamation case, according to Human Rights Watch senior researcher Sunai Phasuk. A woman only known as Anchan received a record 43-year sentence for insulting the monarchy in 2021. She is still inside and continues to serve an original 87-year sentence. Since November 2020, at least 228 persons have been accused of breaking the law, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. There are 18 minors in this.