For attempting violence on the Queen of Thailand, two activists have been detained and could be facing a life sentence.
Following Queen Suthida’s procession among the protesters in Bangkok on Wednesday, with video displaying the crowd as they shout and hold up the defiant three-finger salute stirred by the Hunger Games movie franchise, the arrests were made.
Bunkueanun “Francis” Paothong and Ekachai Hongkangwan are to be indicted under Section 110 of Thailand’s criminal code, as per the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.
Sentence for violence against the Queen
If indicted under Section 110, the offender could face 16 years to a maximum life imprisonment for violence or attempted violence against the Queen, the heir-apparent or regent. If the actions are deemed plausible to threaten the Queen’s life, then the death sentence could be given.
Poonsuk Poonsulcharoen, a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, stated that the pair are alleged to be facing charges with a maximum life sentence.
Ekachai was detained while he was going to Bangkok’s Dusit police station to confess, and Bunkueanun was arrested as he surrendered to police, the lawyers group informed.
The incident with the royal procession was given by the government as one of the explanations for declaring an emergency decree on Thursday morning.
The verdict was implemented in the Thai capital, and calls for ban on gatherings of over five people and comprises of a countrywide ban on publishing and airing news and information whether online that instigates dread in the public.
Protests in the midst of violence
Thousands of demonstrators were on the streets of Bangkok to display their insolence on Friday night, for the third time in a row. Water cannons were used to disperse the crowd in Bangkok’s main business district.
Crowds were dispersing from the location, as police cautioned through a loudspeaker that protestors would be arrested in the event of them not clearing the site.
On Thursday, in a speech made by Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn said the country was in need of people who “love the monarchy.” The speech was broadcasted on national TV on Friday.
He made no direct suggestion to the current protests, which are anticipated to persist even on the weekend.
Demonstrations and processions with students in the forefront, that have been enduring all over Thailand since the month of July have intensified in past few weeks. Dissenters are requesting for a fresh constitution, the disbanding of parliament and resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, along with an end to bullying of government opponents.
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