Two of Thailand’s anti-establishment protest leaders, Parit Chiwarak, aka “Penguin”, and Jutatip Sirikhan, aka “Ua”, were sentenced to two-months in jail, suspended for 2 years, and fined 10,000 baht each today (Tuesday) by the Pathumwan Municipal Court, after they were found guilty of violating the state of emergency law two years ago.
Jutatip was also fined another 2,000 baht for obstructing officials in their performance of their duty.
The offences took place in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on June 5th, 2020 during a protest to demand justice for Wanchalearm Satsaksit, a pro-democracy activist who went missing after being abducted in Phnom Penh the previous day. He has not been seen or heard from since.
Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer at Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), said that the two protest leaders will appeal the Pathumwan District Court’s verdict.
The two activists have been on conditional bail on multiple charges, including lèse majesté.