Thai Lawyers for Human Rights – Statement

June 2015 – Pretrial hearings and verdict delivery on three lèse majesté cases (violation of Article 112)

1. The case against Mr. Jueseng Kow, aka ‘Small Bundit Aneeya’ on violation of Penal Code’s Article 112 for his expressing opinion during a public meeting (Black Case no. 45k/2558)
22 June 2015, 8.30am, at the Bangkok Military Court, Pretrial discovery

On 26 November 2014, Mr. Juaseng brought his books to sell at a meeting of a political party in which a brainstorming session was conducted to develop proposals to submit to the National Reform Council (NRC). When the meeting addressed issues concerning the monarchy, Mr. Juaseng asked for permission to express his opinion. While espousing his opinion, he was nabbed by some plainclothes police officials and taken to the Sutthisan Police Station. His custody was filed with the military court on 28 November 2014. He was released on bail by placing 400,000 baht as deposit. On 19 February 2015, the judge advocate of the military court filed his custody at the Bangkok Military Court as the Black Case no. 45K/2558.

On 31 March 2015, the Bangkok Military Court held the first hearing and the defendant pleaded not guilty.

2. The case against Mr. Thanet (last name withheld) on violation of Penal Code’s Article 112 for sending offensive e-mail (Black Case no. O3190/2557)

25 June 2015, 9.30am, the Criminal Court will read the verdict.

          The case stemmed from on 14 June 2014 Mr. Thanet had sent to a third party an e-mail containing URL of websites deemed offensive to the monarchy. On 2 July 2014, he was arrested by a dozen of police and military officials and held in custody invoking Martial Law. On 9 July 2014, he was filed for custody with the Criminal Court.
          His attorney claims the defendant suffering from mental disorder and applied for bail, which was denied by the Court. Mr. Thanet pleaded not guilty during the hearing and the Court fixed 8 May 2015 for the prosecution witness examination and 25 June to deliver the verdict.

3. The case against Mr. Pongsak (last name withheld) on violation of Penal Code’s Article 112 for facebook posting (Black Case no. 99k/2558)
On 26 June 2015, 8.30am, at the Bangkok Military Court, evidence taking and judgment day

          In this case, Mr. Pongsak was accused of distributing images and statements deemed offensive to the monarchy on his Facebook page, ‘Sam parr’. He stands accused for violation against Penal Code’s Article  112 and the Computer Crime Act’s Article 14(3).

          After the coup, Mr. Pongsak was among those summoned to report themselves to the military as per the NCPO Order no.58/2557 dated 9 June 2014, but he failed to turn himself in. He was arrested on 30 December 2014 at the bus terminal in Phitsanulok and was later indicted with the Bangkok Military Court on two charges including violating the summonses and the Penal Code’s Article 112.