Mongkhon Thirakot, an activist and online clothing vendor from Chiang Rai, is facing three more counts of royal defamation for Facebook posts made between May and September 2022. These new charges have been added to his already extensive legal troubles.
New Charges Filed After Complaints from Ultra-Royalist Group
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported on January 13, 2025, that officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) visited Mongkhon at Chiang Rai Central Prison to inform him of the latest charges. These charges stem from three Facebook posts that were allegedly insulting the King, as claimed by Anon Klinkaew, the head of the ultra-royalist group People’s Centre to Protect the Monarchy. In addition to royal defamation, Mongkhon has also been charged with violating the Computer Crime Act.
Legal Troubles Escalate for Mongkhon Thirakot
Mongkhon has been in detention at Chiang Rai Central Prison since January 17, 2024, after being convicted by the Appeal Court of 25 counts of royal defamation. He was sentenced to an unprecedented 50-year prison term, the longest ever handed down for royal defamation in Thailand. Following the conviction, Mongkhon was denied bail by the Supreme Court, which deemed him a flight risk.
With the new charges, Mongkhon now faces a total of 29 counts of royal defamation across three separate cases. He has already been convicted on 27 counts, resulting in a 54-year sentence. The additional three charges bring the total number of counts against him to 32.
The Consequences of Royal Defamation Charges in Chiang Rai
Under Thailand’s royal defamation law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code), a conviction can lead to a prison sentence ranging from 3 to 15 years. If found guilty of all 32 charges, Mongkhon could face a staggering 96 years in prison. However, it remains uncertain whether his sentence will be reduced upon appeal.
TLHR also pointed out that Mongkhon was already detained when the Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him. The warrant was based on the severity of the charges, with penalties exceeding 3 years, and concerns that Mongkhon might attempt to flee or tamper with evidence.
The Ongoing Struggle for Political Activists
Mongkhon Thirakot’s case is part of a broader pattern of increasing legal pressure on political activists in Thailand. His continued detention, coupled with the mounting charges, highlights the harsh penalties faced by those who speak out against the monarchy under the royal defamation law.
Activists, human rights organizations, and legal groups continue to monitor Mongkhon’s case, calling for a fair trial and for the reduction of sentences for those charged under controversial laws.