Name: Corporal Methin (pseudonym)
Occupation: Military Officer
Case: Lèse Majesté (Article 112) from mentioning King Rama X during an altercation with another person during a car accident at night
Date of Imprisonment: 19 March 2022
สถานที่คุมขัง : Location of Imprisonment: Military Prison, 11th Military District
In 2021, Methin applied to be a military conscript by his own volition instead of drawing lots. He was later called to receive training in a military barrack in July 2021. After completing the training, he was dispatched to a military base in Bangkok in late 2021 until he asked for a leave and returned to his home in Nonthaburi Province.
One night, he was out drinking with friends and became inebriated. Later that night, a friend called him informing him that he had been in a car accident and was receiving treatment at a hospital’s emergency room and asked Methin to come. Methin decided to drive his motorcycle to visit his friend at the hospital by himself. On the way there, Methin had an accident. While he and the other party inspected the damage to their vehicles, an altercation ensued. At one point, Methin mentioned the name of King Rama X; someone recorded the altercation.
As a result, Methin was detained as part of a disciplinary action at the 11st Military Circle for 30 days. Then, he was arrested by police from Bang Bua Thong Police Station who served an arrest warrant against him. An application was made with the Bangkok Military Court to have him remanded in custody at the 11st Military Circle’s prison on. He was denied access to a lawyer throughout the procedures.
During the first two months of detention, Methin was only allowed to call his family once a month for about five minutes each time. His family sent him several letters; and although he was able to read all of them, he was not able to send his replies since the prison’s shop had long stopped selling envelopes, stamps, and paper prior to his detention.
In the third month of his detention, he was not allowed to call his family and his family was left with no information about his wellbeing. His family tried to write him many letters and call him several times, but were not allowed to talk to Methin. As a result, his family decided to contact Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) for help.
On 10 June 2022, an attorney from TLHR went to visit Methin at the 11st Military Circle’s prison in Nakhon Pathom Province for the first time. TLHR learned that Methin had already been indicted, although a court hearing had not yet been scheduled.
On the first day of witness examination, 11 August 2022, Methin decided to plead guilty to charges. The Bangkok Military Court read the verdict right away and convicted him with a sentence of five years imprisonment. Given his guilty plea, the sentence was reduced by half to two years and six months without suspension.
On 5 September 2024 , Methin was released from the 11th Military Circle Base Prison after meeting the criteria for a pardon. He was imprisoned for 901 days, or approximately 2 years and 4 months.