The case of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the webmaster on trial in Bangkok, has far-reaching implications for freedom of speech – not just in Thailand, but in the wider region too, argues Gayathry Venkiteswaran (more…)
An appeals court has overturned an 18-year prison sentence handed out to activist Daranee Charnchoengsilapakul. The activist, better known as Da Torpedo, was charged with insulting the monarchy for speeches she made at anti-government rallies in 2008, and tried behind closed doors. She is still in prison pending an application for bail, and could still face a new trial.
The manager of a popular Thai news website was detained earlier today on charges of insulting the monarchy and violating the Computer Crime Act. Chiranuch Premchaiporn was returning from an Internet freedom conference in Hungary when she was arrested at Bangkok’s international airport. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanomsit Wongwijarn said that police had received a complaint in early 2009 about messages posted on Chiranuch’s site Prachatai.
Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of Thai website prachatai.com, is to face the court on Monday 31 May in a procedural hearing in a case brought against her under the country’s Computer Crimes Act. The case relates to comments posted on the site, rather than anything Chrianuch wrote herself.
According to Peter Noorlander of the Media Legal Defence Initiative, “the authorities seem to intend through this prosecution is to remove a thorn in their side”. An increasing number of independent and critical media have faced censure in Thailand since the military coup of 2006. Under the Computer Crimes Act, Chiranuch could be found guilty od “intentionally supporting or consenting to an offence”.
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