Protest leaders charged with lese majeste, vow rallies will continue

Protest leaders charged with lese majeste, vow rallies will continue

By The Nation

From left: Panupong ‘Mike Rayong’ Chadnok, Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak, Panusaya ‘Rung’ Sithijirawattanakul and Arnon Nampa. Photos by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

Five core leaders of the pro-democracy movement arrived at Bangkok’s Chanasongkram police station on Monday to acknowledge charges of lese majeste under Article 112 of the Criminal Code.

Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, Panupong "Mike Rayong" Chadnok, Arnon Nampa and Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam were charged with royal defamation over speeches they gave during an anti-establishment rally at Sanam Luang on September 19-20. 

Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam

Arnon, also a human rights lawyer, said he was unconcerned by the charge and confident the evidence would prove him innocent, adding that they would continue holding rallies.

Parit confirmed that he would also fight the charge.

Panusaya said the lese majeste charges would not stop the movement and its leaders from demanding reform of the monarchy, along with the prime minister’s removal and a new Constitution.

Meanwhile, investigators at Chanasongkram police station said they are collecting evidence to file a separate charge of lese majeste against Parit over a demonstration at Khok Wua intersection on November 14.

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30398829