Name: “Meechai” (last name withheld) (Age 51)
Occupation: Farmer
Case: Lèse Majesté (Article 112) and Computer Crimes Act (Article 14 (3)) from posting Facebook messages
Date of Imprisonment: 25 July 2024
Location of Imprisonment: Bangkok Remand Prison
“Meechai” (last name withheld), a farmer from Chanthaburi, was charged with committing lèse majesté under Article 112 of the Criminal Code and violating the Computer Crimes Act (Article 14 (3)) by posting two Facebook messages questioning the use of taxpayers' money by the monarchy. Details of Meechai’s legal defense during the trial on 7-8 May 2022 could not be publicized due to a gag order imposed by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court.
On 18 July 2022, the Court convicted Meechai of one count of violation of Article 112 of the Criminal Code and violation of the Computer Crimes Act (Article 14 (3)). He was sentenced to the four years imprisonment under Article 112 without any suspension of punishment. As he provided beneficial evidence, the punishment was reduced by one third to two years and eight months. He was allowed to post bail in the amount of 225,000 baht by the Court of First Instance.
On 27 September 2023, the Appeal Court upheld the previous verdict against Meechai. Again, he was allowed to post bail; this time, he was required to deposit another 110,000 baht, for a total of 335,000 baht. Nonetheless, on 25 July 2024, Meechai came to hear the order regarding his application to appeal his case with the Supreme Court and was informed the Court decided to not allow him to do so. As his case has reached its final verdict, Meechai was immediately transferred to the Central Prison of Samut Prakan for incarceration.
A native of Bangkok, Meechai had moved to Chanthaburi Province, The case was subsequently reported and brought against him in Samut Prakan province. At the time of his imprisonment, he was working as a staff member of a hotel on Ko Chang in Trat Province; he was the primary breadwinner for his family, including his daughter in university and his 83-year-old mother.