Rung denied bail in crop top Section 112 case

PROTEST leader Panusaya Sitthichirawattanakul, or Rung, was today (Nov. 15) denied bail in a Criminal Code Section 112 case, known as the lese majeste law, involving the wearing of a crop top and going to Siam Paragon shopping mall so attired on December 20 last year, Sanook.com and Siam Rath newspaper said.

The Centre for Human Rights Lawyers tweeted the message this evening that in rejecting bail the court had said, “the defendant, who was temporarily released in the Criminal Court case, went on to repeat the offence in violation of the court’s conditions leading to the public prosecutor requesting temporarily revocation of her release as otherwise the defendant may commit another similar offense.”

The five defendants in this case are Mr. Parit Chivarak, or Penguin, Rung, Ms. Benja Apan, Mr. Phawat Hiranphon and Mr. Panupong Chadnok, or Mike.

The prosecutor accused the defendants of violating this law during Dec. 18-20, 2020 with the first and second defendants, Penguin and Rung, posting a message on Facebook inviting the public to go to Siam Paragon wearing crop tops on Dec. 20.

The prosecutor added that on the appointed day the five defendants wore crop tops and went to this store with various messages written on the arms and waist including calls to abolish Section 112, monarchical reform as well as some satirical lines.

Mr. Krisadang Nutcharat, or Lawyer Dang, from the Centre for Human Rights Lawyers, said according to the basis of the lawsuit and if standards are upheld Rung will get bail because everyone in this case has been so granted.

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Top: Rung talking to reporters today. Photos: Thai Rath

Home Page: Top: Rung, left, and Penguin, right. Photo: Siam Rath