The Thai Appeals Court has rejected human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa’s application for bail, on the grounds that the lèse majesté offence, of which he has been convicted, carries a lengthy prison term, from which he may try abscond if bailed were granted.

Arnon was found guilty by the Criminal Court on Tuesday of committing the act of lèse majesté during an anti-government protest on October 14^th, 2020 and was sentenced to four years in prison without suspension. He was also fined for 20,000 baht.

His lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharat, said today that he will consult Arnon as to whether he wants to reapply for bail.

Several days prior to the reading of the verdict on Tuesday, the human rights lawyer, who is also a leader of the Ratsadon protest group, had ceased all political activities.