Name: Jatuporn Saeoueng (Age 27)
Occupation: Food Vendor
Case: Lèse majesté (Article 112), for wearing traditional Thai dress during a satirical fashion show
Date of Imprisonment: 19 August 2024
Location of Imprisonment: Central Women's Prison

“New” Jatuporn Saeoueng, a political activist from Buriram, was accused of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code for wearing traditional Thai dress during a satirical fashion show in the #MyTax demonstration on 29 October 2020 in front of Wat Khaek on Silom Road.

On 12 September 2022, the Court of First Instance convicted and sentenced her to three years imprisonment for violation of Article 112, fined her 1,500 baht for violation of the Public Assembly Act, and dismissed the other charges against her. The punishment was reduced by one-third to two years and a fine of 1,000 baht given the benefit of her provision of evidence; there was no suspension of punishment. Jatuporn was then remanded in custody at the Central Women’s Prison for three days, after which she was provisionally released by the order of the Appeal Court after posting bail of 200,000 baht.

Later, on 19 August 2024, the Appeal Court convicted and sentenced her to two years and a fine of 1,000 baht without suspension. Part of the verdict stated that, “While the defendant was strolling on the red carpet, the participants kept chanting ‘Long Live,’ and ‘Her Majesty the Queen.’ They also reached out their hands in an attempt to touch her ankles and the defendant paused her stride to await their touch. This indicated that the defendant was imitating Her Majesty the Queen, as she could have done otherwise.

Given the venue where the offence was committed and the audience response, including their cheers, chants and mockery, it indicated that the defendant wanted to act as a Queen while Sainam (New’s codefendant indicted in Juvenile Court) was imitating His Majesty the King. The King, as Head of the State, shall not be exposed to any infringement. The King deserves the highest reverence and shall not be violated in whatsoever manner.”

The Appeal Court referred the request for bail to the Supreme Court for review and ruling. New was transferred directly to the Central Women's Prison to wait while the Supreme Court made a decision on her bail application.