AFTER PATHUMWAN District court sentenced former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, Progressive Movement Chairman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit plus six others to four months in jail suspended for two years over a peaceful demonstration at the skywalk intersection in front of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Dec. 14, 2019, the former confirmed that they will be filing an appeal, Matichon newspaper said yesterday (Feb. 5).
The eight defendants, with the other six being Mr. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Ms.Pannika Wanich, Ms. Nattha Mahatthana, Mr. Parit Chiwarak, Mr. Thanawat Wongchai and Mr. Pairattachote Chantarakajon, were also fined 20,200 baht for violating the Public Assembly Act, jointly organising public assembly without minimum 24-hour notice, doing within 150 metres of Sa Pathum Palace and using loudspeakers without permission.
Mr. Kritsadang Nutjarat, president of Lawyers for Human Rights Centre, said the defendants were perplexed by the issue of the demonstration having been held within 150 metres of royal ground and were wondering where the distance was measured from.
This case is comparable to other cases of demonstrations held at the same place and same spot with Southern Bangkok Criminal Court having previously dismissed the charge of gathering within 150 metres of the royal ground, he added.
Regarding the charge of not notifying the authorities of the gathering 24 hours in advance, Chiang Rai Provincial District Court had previously ruled that there is no need to request this permission if an announcement was made on social media because it is considered that officials were aware of it, he said.
In this case, the police were aware that the gathering was taking place because it had been announced on social media on Dec. 13, 2019, he said, adding it is his opinion the defendants should appeal with this not about winning the case but ascertaining the truth.
Pita said that after discussing with the defendants, it was decided to appeal the verdict because of a factual issue regarding the distance from royal ground with there being a possibility of discrepancy on where the 150 metres distance was measured from.
This is to provide a basis for other cases, he said, adding that this case does not cause the Move Forward Party to lose credit because the people understand the facts.
Piyabutr compared this case to the Criminal Court on Jan. 17 having dismissed insurrection charges against 32 yellow-shirt activists who led the 2008 protest in which Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports were shut down. However 13 of them were fined 20,000 baht each for disruption at the two airports.
Where their case is concerned, their rally only took place for a short duration and afterwards there were people cleaning up the area, he added.
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Top, below and Front Page: Pita Limjaroenrat, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and the other six defendants outside Pathumwan District Court yesterday, Feb. 5, 2024. Photos: Matichon
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