THE Criminal Court today (May 28) acquitted Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit in a case under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, over livestreaming the management of Covid-19 vaccines which was ruled to be directed at former prime minister/coup leader Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha and no malice intended at the Monarchy, PPTVHD36 and Amarin TV said.
Thanathorn, whose Progressive Movement is aligned with People’s Party, said the court’s verdict confirmed that his livestream in 2021 was criticism of the government’s work and that of Gen. Prayut, not a lese majeste violation, with this being the main point and he felt relieved.
“The court’s ruling is consistent with the policy handed down by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court earlier this week, that all political cases and cases intended to silence dissent should be dismissed,” Thanathorn said.
He mentioned that he has been to court many times, and each time it was for political cases while noting the country has wasted a great deal of resources, including the time of the judges, on these cases.
“Court officials, plaintiff’s lawyers, and defence lawyers waste a great deal of resources on cases that should not even be cases. Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to call for a fairer justice process for politically motivated cases that seem baseless, don’t pander to any political faction. Stand firm and courageously. If these politically motivated cases, which clutter the courts, aren’t prosecuted at the police and prosecutor’s stages, it will alleviate the workload for judges, allowing them to work on other urgent cases more quickly,” he said.
He added that he will continue criticising for the public good and in accordance with the rights granted by the court.
Regarding the possibility that the prosecutor would appeal the case, Thanathorn stated that he is not worried because it is the prosecutor’s duty and they could proceed. He affirmed that he was not discouraged, but cheerful and in good spirits, and thanked his lawyers and the public who showed up to encourage him.
CAPTION:
Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit at the Criminal Court today, May 28, 2026. Above photo – PPTVHD36, Front Page – Amarin TV
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