Thailand Charges 18 Anti-Government Protesters

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, March 9 (Bernama) -- Three prominent Thai anti-government protest leaders were denied bail by the Criminal Court after being charged with insulting the monarchy in a demonstration in Bangkok last year. The three activists – Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Panupong Jadnok, and Jatupat Boonpattararaksa – were charged with violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which is also known as lèse-majesté, for insulting the monarchy during a protest at Thammasat University and Sanam Luang in Bangkok in September last year. Deputy spokesman for the Attorney General, Prayut Pecharakun, said the trio also faced trial for breaking Section 116 of the Criminal Code (sedition) and defying public gathering ban with another 15 anti-government protesters. In February, four protest leaders – Parit Chiwarak, Arnon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, and Patiwat Saraiyaem – were slapped with similar lèse-majesté charges and repeatedly denied bail. Since mid-July last year, anti-government protesters have been rallying in Bangkok and other cities, reiterating their demands for political change, among others for the prime minister to step down, the dissolution of Parliament, the rewriting of the Constitution, and a reform of the monarchy. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, at least 61 people including three minors have been charged since November last year. -- BERNAMA