A graduate student from Thammasat University was charged on Friday with lese majeste offence after he was detained for seven days after protesting the coup last week. The police claimed the military had received evidence taken from the defendant’s Facebook post.

 

Aphichat (last name withheld) was taken to Bangkok Remand Prison on Friday after the court denied him bail, citing flight risk. 

 

The 25-year-old man was also charged with Section 14 of Computer Crime Act and violation of the junta’s order. Despite guarantee from Deputy Dean of Thammasat University Parinya Tewanarumitkul, the court rejected it saying that their relationship is not as close as relatives. 

 

He was arrested on May 23 when he joined the anti-coup protest in front of Bangkok Art and Cultural Center, and later was detained at the Police’s Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok.  

 

Aphichat is also an officer working for The Law Reform Commission of Thailand.