Kanruethai Klaion (Age 33)  
Occupation: Retailer
Case: Lèse Majesté (Article 112) from posting on Facebook
Date of Imprisonment: 27 August 2024
Location of Imprisonment: Central Women's Prison

“Aye” Kanruethai Klaion, a mother of one child, was charged under Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code (aka lèse majesté law) and the Computer Crimes Act, Article 14 (3) for allegedly making eight Facebook posts containing content that distorted, defamed, ridiculed, or criticized King Rama IX and King Rama X between 8 February and 1 April 2022.

Following the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kanruethai participated in political protests with students and other citizens to oust the Prayuth government. She became increasingly interested in politics as she listened to protest speeches and joined several demonstrations. Kanruethai then began to focus on issues like enforced disappearances and royal prerogatives. She started posting opinions on these matters and supporting calls for the reform of the monarchy, which led to the legal charges mentioned above. 

After the court scheduled witness hearings to be held beginning on 19 July 2024,  Kanruethai decided to change her plea to guilty.The court then scheduled a sentencing hearing for 27 August 2024. 

On 27 August 2024, the court sentencedกันต์ฤทัย Kanruethai under Article 112, which is the law with the most severe penalty, to three years imprisonment per count for a total of eight counts. As she pled guilty, her sentence was reduced to half, rendering it one year and six months per count, totalling eight years (96 months) in prison, with no grounds for a suspended sentence.

While in detention awaiting a decision on bail, Kanruethai is concerned about not receiving her antidepressant medication, which she needs to take daily. The process of having medication sent into prison involves screening and handling by officials, which can take more than a day. In some cases, it may require a medical examination within the prison to obtain new medication, which could take up to a week. Kanruethai is also worried about the well-being and living conditions of her 11-year-old son.

Kanruethai is also facing another lèse majesté charge อีกrelated to two Facebook posts,with this case still under investigation by the police.