PROTEST leader Parit Chivarak, or Penguin, and three other activists were today (Sept. 12) sentenced to two months in jail and fined a total of 11,300 baht each for holding a rally in front of Bang Khen police station in 2020 but this was suspended for one year while three others were only fined, Matichon newspaper said.
On August 7, 2020 the seven defendants had gathered in front of this police station in support of Mr. Anon Nampa and Mr. Panupong Jadnok, or Mike, who had been arrested over a Free Youth activist group’s protest.
However the seven defendants denied the charges throughout. Aside from Penguin, who was the first defendant, the others were Mr. Chatchai Kaedam, an activist; and Ms. Suwanna Tanlek, an activist; Ms. Passaralee Thanakitwibulphon, a Mahanakhon University student; Mr. Sirapop Poompuengphut, a Srinakharinwirot University student; Ms. Sukreeya Wannanuwat, a Chulalongkorn University student; and Mr. Pattarapong Noipang, a Thammasat University student.
They were found guilty of violating Criminal Code, section 368, paragraph one. However the first to the third and sixth defendants were also found guilty of violating Public Assembly Act, sections 8(1) and 10, paragraphs one, 27 and 28. Road Traffic Act, Section 114, paragraph one and 148 (Original) and Act on Controlling Advertising Using an Amplifier, Section 4, paragraphs one and nine, one
The total fine for various offences added up to 11,300 baht each while the first to the third and sixth defendants were also sentenced to two months in jail for jointly organising a public rally, blocking entrance and exit and interfering with the use of government office.
However the court decided to suspend their jail term for one year.
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Top: Penguin and other protest leaders giving the three-finger salute during a rally on September 20, 2020. Photos: Thai Rath
Front Page: Penguin giving the three-finger salute while imprisoned last year. Photos: Thai Rath
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