The criminal court has sentenced Phruethikan Sarakul, known as “Jo”, a former staff member of the Progressive Party (Khana Kao Na) to an additional 30 years in prison under Section 112 of the Criminal Code. The ruling brings his total sentence to 50 years when combined with a previous 20-year term. The verdict was delivered on 10 February 2026 at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road.

The case, registered as Case No. A.1486/2566, was brought by prosecutors from the Office of Criminal Litigation Division 4. Phruethikan was convicted of lèse-majesté under Section 112 and offences under the Computer Crime Act. The court noted that the defendant absconded during proceedings and is yet to caught, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant and the forfeiture of bail.

The charges stem from online posts made between 8 November 2021 and 27 March 2022. Prosecutors alleged that Phruethikan uploaded content to Twitter that defamed, insulted, or threatened the monarchy, constituting an offence against national security. The court found that the posts were intended to cause public misunderstanding and incite opposition to the monarchy.

The court ruled that the defendant committed multiple offences across separate acts. It imposed 10 counts, sentencing him to three years per count, for a total of 30 years, to be served consecutively to his earlier sentence. On 18 December, the Criminal Court had previously sentenced Phruethikan to 20 years’ imprisonment in a related case involving Section 112 and the Computer Crime Act.

During the reading of the verdict, defence lawyer Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer and political activist, was present in court. Arnon Nampa is himself currently serving a prison sentence in connection with a Section 112 conviction and was transferred from prison to attend the hearing. The court confirmed that Phruethikan remained at large at the time of sentencing.

The prosecution cited provisions of Thailand’s 2017 Constitution, including Section 2, which establishes Thailand as a constitutional monarchy, and Section 6, which places the King in a position of reverence and prohibits accusations or legal action against the monarch. The court held that the defendant knowingly disseminated unlawful computer data related to offences against national security.

The ruling underscores the continued enforcement of Section 112 and the Computer Crime Act in cases involving online speech. It also highlights procedural consequences for defendants who abscond, including arrest warrants and bail penalties.

Matichon reported that further legal steps depend on the defendant’s apprehension and any subsequent appeals filed in accordance with Thai criminal procedures.

Key Takeaways

• A court sentenced former staffer Phruethikan Sarakul to 30 more years, totalling 50 years in prison.

• The conviction covers 10 counts under Section 112 and the Computer Crime Act for Twitter posts made in 2021–2022.

• The defendant absconded during proceedings, leading to an arrest warrant and bail forfeiture.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-02-11

 

 

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