11 July 2024

Former Thai pop singer Suthipongse “Heart” Thatphithakkul reported to the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) this morning (Thursday) to acknowledge lèse majesté and computer crime charges.

Accompanied by Krisadang Nutcharat, from the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the 56-year-old formerly popular singer was questioned by the police for about two hours.

Krisadang told the media that the charges, which were filed by Apiwat Khanthong, a legal aide to vice minister attached to the PM’s Office, concern Suthipong’s Facebook post last year regarding the government’s procurement of vaccines.

He said that the singer denies all the charges and will submit his testimony in writing in due course.

The charges were originally filed at Nang Lerng police station, but the case has subsequently been transferred to the TCSD.

The charges come as the enforcement of the country’s lèse majesté law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Code, resumed late last year after about a two-year hiatus, to curb the growing anti-establishment movement that is also calling for monarchy reform