Pita Confirms Appealing Suspended Sentence Over 2019 Rally

[webfact]

 

AFTER PATHUMWAN District court sentenced former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, Progressive Movement Chairman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit plus six others to four months in jail suspended for two years over a peaceful demonstration at the skywalk intersection in front of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Dec. 14, 2019, the former confirmed that they will be filing an appeal, Matichon newspaper said yesterday (Feb. 5).

 

The eight defendants, with the other six being Mr. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Ms.Pannika Wanich, Ms. Nattha Mahatthana, Mr. Parit Chiwarak, Mr. Thanawat Wongchai and Mr. Pairattachote Chantarakajon, were also fined 20,200 baht  for violating the Public Assembly Act, jointly organising public assembly without minimum 24-hour notice, doing within 150 metres of Sa Pathum Palace and using loudspeakers without permission.

 

Mr. Kritsadang Nutjarat, president of Lawyers for Human Rights Centre, said the defendants were perplexed by the issue of the demonstration having been held within 150 metres of royal ground and were wondering where the distance was measured from.

 

This case is comparable to other cases of demonstrations held at the same place and same spot with Southern Bangkok Criminal Court having previously dismissed the charge of gathering within 150 metres of the royal ground, he added.

 

by TNR Staff 

TOP: Pita Limjaroenrat, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and the other six defendants outside Pathumwan District Court yesterday, Feb. 5, 2024. Photo: Matichon

 

Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-06

 

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[nikmar]

Get less for shutting down an airport or "shutting down" Bangkok!!

[Pouatchee]

correct me if i'm wrong. if he has a criminal record, isn't he banned from running for office?

damn they really are crossing out all their T's to make sure no change ever comes to this archaic culture that still prays to trees.

so, one gets a criminal record for a peaceful protest... surprised no one got arrested here on AN yet

Edited February 6 by Pouatchee

[Rampant Rabbit]

15 minutes ago, nikmar said:

Get less for shutting down an airport or "shutting down" Bangkok!!

or an entire country

[ikke1959]

The open every box to prevent that Pita ever will be in the Government.. a suspended sentence  can be in his way the next time .. He could have better a jailtime done in Australia because that is no problem. as it was not  in Thailand... So no ban because of section 112, mediashares now they have something new.. Amazing Thailand

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

AFTER PATHUMWAN District court sentenced former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, Progressive Movement Chairman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit plus six others to four months in jail suspended for two years over a peaceful demonstration at the skywalk intersection in front of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Dec. 14, 2019, the former confirmed that they will be filing an appeal, Matichon newspaper said yesterday (Feb. 5).

4 months suspended jail term for a PEACEFUL protest...

Nothing but a continuous witch hunt.

[bradiston]

7 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

correct me if i'm wrong. if he has a criminal record, isn't he banned from running for office?

damn they really are crossing out all their T's to make sure no change ever comes to this archaic culture that still prays to trees.

so, one gets a criminal record for a peaceful protest... surprised no one got arrested here on AN yet

If it's suspended (and pita's conviction et al is pending appeal) I don't think it prevents anyone from running for office.

 

Section 98 of the Thai constitution:

(6) being sentenced by a judgement to imprisonment and imprisoned by a  
warrant of the Court.

 

It doesn't mention suspended.

[Srikcir]

Some background on the Public Assembly Act presented by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, "Restrictions and Harassments remain: Public Assemblies in January and before the elections," 06/02/2562   https://tlhr2014.com/en/archives/10794

• Public Assembly Act 2015 invoked [enacted by the NCPO-appointed National Legislative Assembly] to deny the right to freedom of assembly, to detain or to prosecute

• Authorities acknowledging the public assembly and imposing conditions to restrict freedom of assembly

• Misdemeanor laws have been used to prosecute or restrict freedom of assembly

• Individuals being summoned to speak with military officers

• The military organizing activities to cause distractions and hindrances at the protest venue

• Being approached by government officers at home or work and being told not to participate in a demonstration

• Surveillance and documentation of all public assemblies held by the organizers

• Several universities involved with the restriction of freedom of assembly

Given the government's alleged support for democracy, it's hard to imagine this Act continues unabated in the least and continues to exist in the most. Already the country's Thai-style democracy seems throttled enough with allowance of the army's political branch ISOC to reach into the Thai grassroots political system.

 

[Andycoops]

More mumbo jumbo from the corrupt judiciary the country really is a joke when it comes to freedom of expression.

The silly old Muppets who have to dye their hair and can't win a election will do everything they can to keep feeding from the trough.

 

[scorecard]

30 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

More mumbo jumbo from the corrupt judiciary the country really is a joke when it comes to freedom of expression.

The silly old Muppets who have to dye their hair and can't win a election will do everything they can to keep feeding from the trough.

 

No doubt true but they also want Thailand to remain in the old mould of military dominance for the sake of the 'glory' they see in that scenario,  and not allow Thailand to catch up with any modern approaches to managing the country based specifically on the wishes of the non military populace re democracy and the will of the people. 

[charleskerins]

11 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

correct me if i'm wrong. if he has a criminal record, isn't he banned from running for office?

damn they really are crossing out all their T's to make sure no change ever comes to this archaic culture that still prays to trees.

so, one gets a criminal record for a peaceful protest... surprised no one got arrested here on AN yet

Trees are real

[Pouatchee]

45 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

Trees are real

 

[scorecard]

18 hours ago, scorecard said:

No doubt true but they also want Thailand to remain in the old mould of military dominance for the sake of the 'glory' they see in that scenario,  and not allow Thailand to catch up with any modern approaches to managing the country based specifically on the wishes of the non military populace re democracy and the will of the people. 

Plus laws and judicial processes which are. fair, balanced, equal and transparent for all citizens.  And nobody above the law / no special treatment whatever for anybody (e.g. thaksin right now).

[zzaa09]

On 2/5/2024 at 10:55 PM, hotchilli said:

4 months suspended jail term for a PEACEFUL protest...

Nothing but a continuous witch hunt.

Those pesky Progressive troublemakers....

😉