National —
A female Member of Parliament from Thailand’s main opposition Move Forward Party has been granted bail after getting sentenced to two years in jail in a royal defamation case today, May 27th. However, a famous male singer “The Bottom Blues” has been sentenced to jail in a similar case without a suspension.
The case against Move Forward MP Ms. Chonthicha Jangrew was filed in response to her speech at a rally against the detentions of political activists back in 2021. Part of the speech allegedly contained an insult to Thailand’s royal institution, according to reports.
The court’s ruling, which occurred today, May 27th, initially handed Ms. Chonthicha a three-year sentence, but it was then reduced to two years with no suspension. The MP filed for bail and received it after the ruling. This also enabled her to retain her MP status.
Meanwhile, the court sentenced another lese majeste suspect, “Ammy The Bottom Blues,” a famous Thai singer, and his accomplice to four years and one year in prison respectively, after they burned His Royal Majesty the King’s portrait in 2021.
Ammy or Mr. Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan and his accomplice did not receive a suspension. The court ruled that the two’s burning of the King’s portrait was a threat that dishonored His Majesty the King, although they claimed that they only intended to express their support for the release of their detained fellow activist.
Bail had been requested for the two as of press time.
