A Thai court ruling over a 2020 protest added to activist Arnon Nampa’s prison term, which his lawyer says now exceeds 34 years after multiple convictions tied to criticism of the monarchy.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said on Facebook that the court imposed a two-year, eight-month term on Nampa and four co-defendants under the lèse-majesté law. The Straits Times’ lead described Nampa’s new term as two years, leaving the reports at odds.
Krisadang Nutcharut, Nampa’s lawyer, confirmed the ruling to AFP and said the case arose from a protest outside Siam Commercial Bank’s headquarters in 2020. He said protesters sought greater transparency about a transfer of shares in Siam Commercial Bank from the Crown Property Bureau. Krisadang said three of the five defendants were already serving separate royal-insult sentences.
AFP said Nampa, 42, became prominent during 2020 youth demonstrations, when tens of thousands called for changes to Thailand’s military-drafted constitution and monarchy. AFP reported he has been in prison since 2023, serving multiple royal-insult sentences connected to protests and social media posts.
Krisadang told AFP, “It is now clear that the law has become a political tool used against opponents.”
