Court Jails Two Former Politicians for Terrorism Support

The criminal court on 9 February 2026 sentenced two former politicians to five years in prison each for supporting terrorism-related activities, while acquitting them of lèse-majesté charges. The ruling affects Mr Payap Pankate, a former leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), and Mr Phetwarat Wattanapongsirikul, a former party-list MP from the Prachachat Party. Both defendants have applied for temporary release pending the court’s decision on bail.

The Criminal Court delivered its verdict in cases No. Or.3306/2567 and Or.3332/2567, brought by public prosecutors against Mr Phetwarat as defendant one and Mr Payap as defendant two. Prosecutors alleged offences including lèse-majesté under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and terrorism-related charges under Sections 135/2 and related provisions. The court combined the two cases for consideration because the allegations arose from the same set of events.

The background to the case dates back to April 2010 through 15 August 2010, during and after mass protests by the UDD. After the military dispersed the demonstrations, prosecutors said senior UDD figures, including the two defendants, arranged and supported weapons training in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The alleged aim was to prepare acts intended to create public fear and pressure the government in power at the time.

Prosecutors claimed the defendants helped recruit participants, provided accommodation and funding, and visited those undergoing training. They also alleged the defendants made statements that constituted insults or threats against the monarchy. The prosecution sought penalties under Sections 83, 91, and 132 of the Criminal Code.

In its ruling, the court found that evidence supporting the lèse-majesté charge was inconsistent and lacked corroboration. Witness testimony during the investigation and at trial conflicted on key points, leading the court to apply the principle of reasonable doubt and dismiss the charge under Section 227, paragraph two, of the Criminal Procedure Code.

However, the court accepted testimony from witnesses who said they had received weapons training in Cambodia. While it found no proof that the defendants directly recruited trainees, it ruled that their ideological encouragement, logistical support, financial assistance, and visits constituted facilitation of terrorism-related activities. The court convicted both men as supporters under Section 135/2 in conjunction with Section 86 and sentenced them under Section 135/3 to five years’ imprisonment each.

Manager online reported that the defendants submitted bail requests with surety following the verdict. The court is currently considering whether to grant temporary release while further legal steps proceed.

Key Takeaways

• The court sentenced Mr Payap Pankate and Mr Phetwarat Wattanapongsirikul to five years in prison each on 9 February 2026.

• Both were acquitted of lèse-majesté due to inconsistent and insufficient evidence.

• Bail applications have beeun filed and are under court consideration.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from MGRonline 2026-02-10