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Two lèse majesté convicts released

Wed, 29/08/2012 - 18:03 | by prachatai

On 24 Aug, Warawut Thanangkorn, aka Suchart Nakbangsai, and Suriyan Kokpuey were released from Bangkok Remand Prison under the 2012 Royal Decree for Royal Pardon on the occasion of HM the Queen’s birthday on 12 Aug.

Warawut, an anti-coup activist, was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment, which was reduced by half due to his guilty plea.  He was imprisoned for about one year and 10 months.


Warawut

Suriyan, a shoe repairer, was sentenced to 6 years and one month in prison, and the jail term was also halved due to his guilty plea.  He was imprisoned for about one year and 11 months.


Suriyan and his parents

Suriyan’s parents Suwit and Surin arrived at the prison at 6am in anticipation of their son’s release, after having been disappointed the previous day due to a delay caused by bureaucratic paperwork.

Other people who also came to greet the two released prisoners included Warawut’s elder brother, Chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship Thida Thawornsate and her husband Weng Tojirakan (a red shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP), Chulalongkorn University lecturer Suda Rangkuphan and some 40 red shirts.  Reporters from various news organizations were also present.

The pardoned prisoners were released in groups about 15 minutes apart, about 30 in each group.  A total of 304 prisoners were released on that day.  

Warawut and Suriyan were released in the second group at about 9.30 am.  They came out and were met with the sound of greetings and were given garlands and flowers.

After his release, Warawut waited to visit other political prisoners still imprisoned there and ordered food for them, while Suriyan and his parents went to Lak Si Prison to visit political prisoners there.

Warawut told reporters that he would hold a talk show on 3 Nov to share the experiences of his anti-coup activities, prosecution and life in prison, with tickets priced at 112 and 2,000 baht.


(From left) Nat Sattayapornpisut, Suriyan Kokpuey and his parents at Amphon's funeral on 26 Aug

 
Warawut Thanangkorn at Amphon's funeral on 26 Aug

Source: 

http://www.prachatai.com/journal/2012/08/42264

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Comments

#28358 - by john francis lee (visitor) () | Sat, 29/09/2012 - 17:05

The Librarian of Bangkok

The Librarian of Bangkok Prison has a story on AI Thailand's press release : Free Somyot Now. Says AI Thailand :

Human rights and labour organizations today urge that magazine editor and human rights defender Somyot Prueksakasemsuk be immediately released from 17-month pre-trial detention.

I don't think anyone is unaware of "Human rights and labour organizations" position on the abuse of Somyot's human rights.

The question is :

What is Amnesty International Thailand's position?

Maybe it's in the press release? And I just cannot find it? Help, anyone?

#28359 - by Doowop (visitor) () | Sat, 29/09/2012 - 18:08

http://thaipoliticalprisoners

http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/freedom-house-on-internet-censorship/

#28367 - by john francis lee (visitor) () | Sat, 29/09/2012 - 20:18

Thanks! I had seen that

Thanks! I had seen that notice of the Freedom House report, and you have spurred me to download the actual report, which is interesting.

But I was looking for a statement by AI Thailand demanding the release of Somyot now.

As far as I can see there is an announcement linked to AI Thailand 'noting' others' call for Somyot's release ... but no call by AI Thailand itself for Somyot's release.

Which seems like a whole new level of antinomy on the part of AI Thailand, unless I'm missing something.

They're simultaneously 'calling for Somyot's release now!' - while not actually calling for Somyot's release at all?