A Criminal Court today acquitted seven activists of charges under the lèse majesté and sedition laws in connection with a public opinion poll on royal motorcades conducted outside Siam Paragon shopping mall four years ago.
The case stemmed from a poll conducted on February 8, 2022, asking passersby: “Do you think royal motorcades cause inconvenience?”
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the court ruled that the defendants' actions amounted only to asking a question about royal motorcades.
As the poll did not mention or refer to any specific member of the royal family, the court found that it did not meet the legal elements required for an offence under Section 112 (lèse majesté).
The court also found that none of the defendants had made speeches or statements that defamed, insulted or threatened the King during the event.
The court said the defendants' actions were protected under the Constitution and that prosecutors had failed to prove that their conduct caused unrest, threatened national security or encouraged people to violate the law.
The seven defendants were identified as Tantawan Tuatulanon, "Baipor", "Thakoon", "Worawet", "Beam", Waranya Saeng-ngo and Bam Orawan.
Activist Netiporn "Bung" Sanesangkhom was also originally a defendant in the case, but the proceedings against her were discontinued following her death in May 2024.
Netiporn "Bung" Sanesangkhom
The case took more than four years to conclude, with the court hearing prosecution and defence witnesses over 15 hearings before delivering its verdict.
