Thai Musician Receives Jail Term for Insulting Monarchy
Thai courts issued a four-year jail sentence to musician Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpanto for allegedly insulting the monarchy. These convictions are among the latest under Thailand’s stringent lese-majeste laws, which are considered some of the strictest in the world. Thailand’s lese-majeste law, designed to protect the monarchy from criticism, carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison for each offence.
Charges and Conviction
The musician received the prison sentence for burning a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He was convicted of arson, lese-majeste, and computer crimes. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) indicated that Chaiamorn was seeking bail and planning to appeal the decision.
Denial of Charges
Chaiamorn denied the charges of insulting the monarchy. The courts have not yet released official statements regarding the sentence. The royal palace typically refrains from commenting on lese-majeste cases.
Widespread Use of Lese-Majeste Law
Since 2020, over 272 people have been charged under the lese-majeste law, with 17 held in pre-trial detention. In one notable case, a 65-year-old woman received a 43-year sentence in 2021 for social media posts critical of the monarchy. Another individual, jailed for 28 years in 2023, received an additional 22 years in January after appealing a similar verdict and is now appealing to the Supreme Court.
Background and Activism
Chaiamorn admitted to burning the king’s portrait in 2021 as a defiant act and to express frustration over the detention of fellow activists on lese-majeste charges. These latest court rulings come just two weeks after the death of activist Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom, who died in pre-trial detention while facing royal insult charges. She had been on a partial hunger strike, according to TLHR.