At 9:00 AM on June 25, the Criminal Court delivered a verdict in case number Black No. A.3476/2566 involving Arnon Nampa and Jirathita. The main charges include violations of Section 112 (lèse majesté), Section 116, and the Emergency Decree, stemming from a speech given during the #2DecemberToLatPhraoIntersection protest on December 2, 2020. According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Center, the case was brought forward by six members of a pro-monarchy political group and Teerayut Suwanakesorn, a lawyer for former monk Buddha Issara.
The protest occurred after the Constitutional Court ruled that Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha’s continued residence in a military-provided home, despite his retirement, did not violate the Constitution and allowed him to remain as Prime Minister.
The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that the court sentenced Arnon to 2 years and 8 months in prison under Section 112, while Jirathita received a 2-year suspended sentence.
The court found both guilty under Section 112, sentencing Arnon to 4 years and Jirathita to 3 years in prison. Each was also fined 15,000 baht for violating the Emergency Decree and another 15,000 baht for using amplifying equipment.
Due to mitigating factors, including their cooperation, Arnon's sentence was reduced by one-third to 2 years and 8 months without suspension. Jirathita, as a first-time offender, received a suspended sentence for 3 years, with 2 years of probation, 36 hours of community service, and a fine of 10,200 baht.
Arnon’s total prison sentence from this and other Section 112 and related cases now amounts to approximately 26 years and 9 months. All cases are still under appeal.
Jirathita faces only this one case under Section 112.