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Thailand is considering an expansion of prison space as its existing facilities have become swelled with political prisoners arrested in connection with the country’s ongoing pro-democracy protest movement.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin told reporters yesterday that Bangkok Remand Prison and Klong Prem Central Prison, where most recently detained political prisoners are held, have become congested with visiting supporters and family members.
“Therefore, we are discussing finding a larger area that can accommodate more people for everyone’s convenience,” he told reporters. “Everyone should be treated equally.”
Convenience is one way of putting it. Since the middle of last year, Thailand has seen a simmering protest movement that at its peak saw tens of thousands flock into the center of Bangkok and other Thai cities. The protests have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government and the drafting of a new, genuinely de
11 03 2021
Thailand’s Bangkok Criminal Court has ordered three prominent democracy activists to pretrial detention on charges of insulting the monarchy, Human Rights Watch said today. The order could leave them detained for years until their trial is concluded….
“There is a growing pattern of Thai activists charged with lese majeste being sent to long periods of pretrial detention,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “Courts should uphold the right to the presumption of innocence and ensure all fair trial procedures are observed.”
… The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Thailand has ratified, encourages bail for criminal suspects. Article 9 states that, “It shall not be the general rule that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody, but release may be subject to guarantees to appear for trial.” Those denied bail should be tried as expeditiously as possible, Human Rights Watch said….
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On Monday, the Bangkok Criminal Court in Thailand’s capital sent three prominent democracy activists to pretrial detention on charges of insulting the monarchy, consigning them to potentially years in prison before their cases come to trial.
According to the rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW), Thailand’s attorney general charged Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, Jatupat “Pai” Boonpattararaksa, and Panupong “Mike” Jadnok with lese majeste for making speeches demanding reforms of the monarchy during a political rally on September 19.
If found guilty of lese majeste under Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, the activists could face up to 15 years in prison. The trio was also charged with sedition under Article 116, which carries a maximum seven-year sentence.
Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul,
Panupong Chadnok, three human rights defenders and prominent pro-democracy activists.
On March 8, 2021, the prosecutors made a decision for criminal proceedings against Ms. Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Mr. Jatupat Boonpattararaksa and Mr. Panupong Chadnok to go ahead. The three have been charged under Articles 112 (“lèse-majesté”) and 116 (“sedition”) of the Criminal Code in connection with speeches concerning the Thai monarchy they made at a peaceful pro-democracy protest at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang on September 19, 2020. Subsequently, the Bangkok Criminal Court ordered their pre-trial detention and denied bail requests to all three defendants, arguing that the defendants would present a high risk of re-offending if released.