Case

Case name

Sasivimol: Posted messages on Facebook

Lèse-majesté

Name of persons / Name of Media

Sasivimol

Status of Accused

Sentenced to prison

Offense / order

Article 14 (3) Computer Related Crime Act, Article 112 Criminal Code

Summary

Sasivimol, staff of a hotel in Chiang Mai Province was accused to post 7 messages that deemed to be offenses against Lese majeste on Facebook account with the name "Rungnapha Khamwichai". Sasivimol was summoned by the police to the police station in Muang District, Chiang Mai to signed a court warrant. However, soon as she arrived she cherged with Le'se Majeste'.

On 7 August 2015, Sasivimol plead guilty before the court and was sentenced for 8 years imprisonment each count together 56 years but reduced to 28 years.

Basic information

Background of accused

Learn more about Sasiwimon, read Sasiwimon: Mother's Day without Mother [112 The Seiries]

Legal Claims

Lèse-majesté

Form of restriction on freedom

Charge filed
Type of media

Social Network
Province

Chiang Mai
Court

Chiang Mai Military Court

Progress of case

27 September 2014

Nine Facebook users in Chiang Mai, led by Kris Yiammethakorn, filed a complaint of lese majeste against a Facebook user, "Roongnapha Khumpichai" at Maung Chiang Mai's police station. In addition, they have shared Roongnapha Khumpichai's posts on other Facebook pages.

29 September 2014

These Facebook users gave police investigators their testimonies and showed protest signs urging the officials to place lese majeste charge against Roongnapha.

Later, the officials took Roongnapha for questioning. The officials found that Roongnapha was not directly involved. It is possible that this might be a ploy conducted by Sasivimol, who had personal conflict with Roongnapha.

End of September 2014

The officials went to Sasiwimol's house and requested her computer to examine. No charge or detention was issued at that time.

13 February 2015

The police officers called Sasivimol to Maung Chaing Mai's police station. They first told her to come in to sign a court summon. However, upon arrival to the police station, she was brought to Military Court Area 33 (Kavila camp) to ask for detention with six separate lese majeste charges. She was immediately brought to Chiang

Mai's women prison.

1 May 2015

A staff of Thai Lawyer for Human Rights (TLHR) visitted Sasivimol at Chiang Mai Women Prison. She told the staff that she was arrested becasue she involve with the Facebook 'Roongnapha Khumpichai'. The person named Rungnapa was a sin of her ex-boyfriend and they have some conflict. Sasivimol's friend created a fake Facebook account named 'Roongnapha Khampichai' to slander her and use Sasivimol's computer while registering the fake account.

Sasivimol said that she does not know that her friend posted any lèse majesté message but she did not do it. During the invertigation process she confessed because she was forced and convinced that she will be released.

Sasivimol's parents hire a private lawyer to represent the case and they have tried requesting for bail for three times with 400,000 bath cash from am insurance company but the court did not allowed.

9 June 2015

Deposition Examination

At Chiang Mai Military Court, Sasivimol came to the court by prison's truck. Her family, parents and two children, her lawyer and friends were present including an observer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).

The officer informed everyone that this case is related to National Security and can effect public order, the court then order to tried this case in secret. All observers have to leave the court room.

The trial took around 20 minutes. Sasivimol and her lawyer told that the court has read the complaint which contain 7 counts under Section 112 of the Criminal Code. She denied all charges. The court then set a schedule for evidence examinatuin on 8 July 2015. The whole process of this case will be conducted in camera.

8 July 2015

Evidence Examination

At Chiang Mai Military Court, the defendant's lawyer submittied the list of evidences and there is no evidence in document. The court asked to cancelled the evidence examination because it cannot examine only the prosecutor's evidence. The lawyer insisted that there isn't any law provide such process. The court them proceed on the evidence examination process.

Today the court allow obserevers to attend but the officers said that the observers are still prohibitted during the witness examination.

Around 10.45am the judges were present. The defendant's lawyer asked to examine the prosecutor's evidence. The court gave 15 evidences to the lawyer to examine. The court allowed the lawyer to have a copy of some evidences that do not related to the other witnesses including the report on computer fornsic. The lawyer did not object any evidence. The court set the date for the first witness hearing on 7 August 2015, 8.30am.

7 August 2015

Sasivimol plead guilty before the court and was sentenced for 8 years imprisonment each count together 56 years but reduced to 28 years.

The Verdict

Chiang Mai Military Court and was sentenced for 8 years imprisonment each count together 56 years but reduced to 28 years.

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