The Dusit Municipal Court has found 25 activists and protesters guilty of charges resulting from the APEC 2022 protest, in which they faced a violent crackdown.
The protest took place on 18 November 2022. Protesters intended to march to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), the venue of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, to protest the government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and its pro-corporation economic models. However, they were blocked by crowd control police as they approached the Democracy Monument via Dinso Road. Twice, crowd control police in full riot gear violently dispersed protesters using shields, batons, and rubber bullets, injuring many protesters, with several reporting that they were physically assaulted by the police, who kicked and punched them.
25 people were arrested at the scene of the clash. At least 33 were injured, including several reporters and a citizen journalist. Among them was activist Payu Boonsophon, who was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet, never regaining vision in his right eye.
The 25 activists and protesters were charged with participating in a gathering of more than 10 people, causing a breach of peace, and not dispersing when ordered to do so by an official, in violation of the Public Assembly Act.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported that, on 19 December, the Dusit Municipal Court found all 24 guilty and fined each of them 2,500 baht. The Court dismissed charges against one of the activists because the prosecution did not present evidence that the individual was at the protest. The Court determined that the person may not have been participating in the protest but came later to observe.