THE SOUTHERN Bangkok Criminal Court today (Oct. 17) issued an arrest warrant for Ms. Kanlaymon Sunanrat, or Mint, 29, a performing arts activist, and slapped a fine of 200,000 baht after she failed to show up for a hearing on charges under Criminal Code Section 112, also known as the lese majeste law, and the Computer Crimes Act, Matichon newspaper said.
Investigators had previously brought her to court to ask for detention but she was granted temporary release. However the suspect did not show up for the seventh detention hearing on Oct. 4 without giving any notification for not doing so.
This led to the court issuing an arrest warrant for the suspect and imposing a 200,000 baht fine today.
Kanlaymon is also facing charges of defamation and violation of Advertising Control Act at Thonburi Criminal Court with the next hearing being on Nov. 21. If she does not show up there too another arrest warrant will be issued for her.
According to Mr. Prawit Rojanaphruk, an activist and senior correspondent of Khaosod English, reliable sources had confirmed that one Section 112 suspect had fled and applied for asylum in another country after being released on bail.
This case will likely lead to another debate on bail rights.
Kanlaymon, or Mint, was previously a volunteer dance teacher for children with disabilities with this leading to her nickname “Angle of the Handicapped.”
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Ms. Kanlaymon Sunanrat, or Mint. Composite photo: Matichon
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