Move FM Global News

BANGKOK, Thailand: A Thai court has sentenced political activist Jatuporn Saeoueng to two years in prison for insulting the monarchy, according to her lawyer.

During a street protest in Bangkok in 2020, Saeoueng, 25, was judged to have dressed as Queen Suthida, and the court ruled that she mocked the royal family, her lawyer Krisadang Nutcharat said.

Under one of the world’s strictest “lese majeste” laws, it is a crime in Thailand to defame or insult the king, queen, heir or regent, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

According to legal aid group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Saeoueng is one of at least 210 activists charged with insulting the royal family in the last two years, during protests calling for reform of the monarchy.

In October 2020, while protesters sat on the ground in a manner that Thai traditional culture demands in the presence of royalty, Saeoueng walked a red carpet at a protest wearing a traditional pink silk dress, shaded under an umbrella held by an attendant.

Many interpreted her protest display as portraying the queen. “Jatuporn has denied the charges all along and said she puts on traditional Thai dress normally. But the court sees it as mockery and defamatory towards the monarchy,” Krisadang said.

Thailand’s courts do not usually publicize legal proceedings.