On Monday, a Thai court handed down a four-year prison sentence to activist musician Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan for charges related to insulting the monarchy and violating the computer crimes act, as reported by local media.
The charges against Chaiamorn, known for his outspoken activism, arose from a 2021 incident in which he burned a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
While Chaiamorn admitted to the act, he argued that it did not constitute a breach of the royal insult law, also known as lèse-majesté. Despite his defense, the court found him guilty on both counts.
The verdict underscores the stringent enforcement of Thailand’s laws protecting the monarchy, which have been increasingly scrutinized by human rights organizations.
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These laws, particularly the lèse-majesté law, are often criticized for stifling freedom of expression and political dissent.
Efforts to reach Chaiamorn’s lawyer for a statement regarding the sentence were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The case continues to attract significant attention, reflecting the ongoing tensions between Thai authorities and pro-democracy activists.