The public prosecutor has charged eight people of royal defamation for burning royal arches.
On 16 August 2017, at the Provincial Court of Phon District of Khon Kaen Province, the prosecutor indicted eight individuals (whose identities are withheld due to privacy concerns) of violation of Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law, criminal association, and destruction of public property, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported.
According to the police, the six of the eight, who are between 18-20 years old of age, burned several arches erected in honour of the late King Bhumibol and King Vajiralongkorn in Chonnabot District of Khon Kaen on 3 May 2017. While the two other are accused allegedly preparing to burn another similar arch in Pueai Noi District.
They were allegedly hired by a man named ‘Pricha’ and other persons who are still at large. According to bangkokbiznews, the four confessed to the accusation, adding that Pricha paid them 200 baht each to burn the arch.
The indictment came as a surprise because earlier on 25 May, the Khon Kaen police announced at the press briefing that they would not be charged with the lèse majesté law.
The eight were taken to Phon District Prison after the indictment.
The eight together with a 14-year-old, who was also allegedly involved in the burning, were arrested on 17 May and were held incommunicado at the 11th Military Circle in Bangkok for six days.
The eight were then sent back to the police in Khon Kaen where they were then detained for 48 more days before being released temporarily before the indictment.
As for the 14-year-old, he was transferred to the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection of the province for detention. At press time, there has been no information whether he has been released or still been detained.
According to the TLHR, most of the suspects said that they were merely hired in an ad hoc manner to carry out the operation and that they were informed during the interrogation in the military base that they would not face charges.