The defence lawyer of Pai Dao Din has revealed that the renowned democracy activist chose to plead guilty because he was being tried in camera, meaning observers and media were not allowed into the courtroom.
After standing firm behind bars for almost eight months, the decision of Jatuphat ‘Pai Dao Din’ Boonpattararaksa, a law student and key democracy activist, to abruptly plead guilty took many people by surprise.
Kritsarang Nutcharat, the defence lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, has now revealed that the activist ultimately chose to plead guilty because his trial was to be held in camera.
He said Jatuphat initially intended to have people witness injustices in the Thai judicial system, but his goal could not be met if the court chose to hold his trial in secret.
Since the first hearing of the case on 3 August 2017, the court announced that the entire trial will be held in camera as it is related to ‘national security and the monarchy.’ Thai courts, especially military courts usually cite the same reason in trying lèse majesté suspects in secret.
“This verdict shows the extremes to which the authorities are prepared to go in using repressive laws to silence peaceful debate, including on Facebook. It is outrageous that Pai Dao Din is now facing more than two years behind bars just for sharing a news article,” said Benedict.
In a separate case, Jatuphat is also facing trial in the Military Court of Khon Kaen for violating the junta’s ban on political gatherings of five or more persons.
The charge sprung from his participation in a gathering at the replica of the Democracy Monument in Khon Kaen Province to commemorate the first anniversary of the coup d’état on 22 May 2015.
Jatuphat ‘Pai Dao Din’ Boonpattararaksa escorted by officers in front of Khon Kaen Military Court on 27 July 2017 (Photo from Bow Nuttaa Mahattana's Facebook)