Case

On 19 September 2020 the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration organized its second major protest. The event was called "19 September reclaim power to the people", the date 19 September was selected as it was the day that military staged a coup in 2006 and mark the beginning of decades long political crisis in Thailand.  

 

Prior to the date, the organizer announced that it would start the protest inside Thammasat University. However, if number of protester is highs the organizer also said that it would have to use the Royal Field which located just outside of the campus as a place to gather. On the date, the protester found that the gate of Thammasat University were locked with chain. Some protester then tried to cut it. After the chain was cut protester then flood inside the campus. Other group of protester also tried to occupy the Royal Field the police who control the area tried to push back the protester but finally then had withdraw the protester then occupy the Royal Field.    

 

After the main stage was set up in the Royal Field leaders of the protester take turn to give speech to the public. The protester gathered overnight at the Royal Field. On 20 September 2020, representatives of the protester proceed with a ceremony to burry the 2020 People's Plaque as a gesture that they will protect the wills of the People Party who give birth to Democracy in Thailand. After the ceremony the protester marched toward the Grand Palace which the police response by set up blockade and made it clear to the protester that they will not let the protester march toward the Grand Palace.

 

The protester intend to hand a petition that demand for the monarchy reform to head of Privy Council at the Privy Council office which located inside the Grand Palace. Panussaya, one of the protester leader then handed a letter to the chief of Bangkok Metropolitan who promise to deliver to the President of Privy Council the protester then stop the march and the leader of the protester call of the protest.           

 

Even thought, the protest went with no violence incident but later in October 2020 7 leaders of the protesters including Anon, Panussaya, Parit, Panupong, Patiwat and Somyot were arrested and remanded in custody for a certain period of time. Jatupat another alleged offender was not detain in this case but he was also remanded in custody in the same period of time for another case. Apart from these 7 leaders the police also summoned another 14 individuals to prosecute with sedition offense. 

 

On 19 November 2020, Gen. Prayuth Chan o Cha announced to use all law that available to prosecute the protesters. All 7 alleged offenders were later summoned to acknowledge Lese Majeste accusation. However, this time all of them weren't detain. The police release them unconditionally after they reported themselves to acknowledge accusation.

 

On 8 March 2021, the prosecutor filed charges including lese majeste charge against Anon, Parit, Patiwat and Somyot. all defendants request the court to release them on bail but the court dismissed their petition on the ground that the circumstance of case was severe and it afriad of flight.