Latest bill would cover lese majeste

The proposed bill would affect at least seven major cases, including those of former Voice of Taksin magazine editor Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison last December for two articles allegedly written by someone else; and red-shirt Daranee Chancherngsilpapreechakul, aka “Da Torpedo”, who was sentenced to 15 years in jail for comments she made at a rally at Sanam Luang in 2008. She is the only known female lese majeste detainee.

 Somyos told the court at his trial that former Thai Rak Thai executive Jakrapob Penkae was the author of the two articles over which he has been jailed. He was nevertheless sentenced and is fighting his case in the Appeals Court. Somyos’ requests for bail have been denied 13 times.

Another who will benefit if the bill is passed into law is Surachai Danwattanusorn, a leader of the Red Siam group of left-wing red shirts, who is currently serving five lese majeste sentences amounting to 12 years and six months in jail. Surachai is seeking a royal pardon.

Under Vorachai’s bill, five protesters sentenced to prison for setting fire to the Udon Thani Provincial Hall on May 19, 2006 would also be granted amnesty. The same goes for four people sentenced to jail for 33 years and four months for burning the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Hall and three people sentenced to jail for burning down Khon Kaen Provincial Hall and the NBT station in the same province.

 In Mukdahan, 13 people were handed 20-year jail terms for burning down the provincial hall. They would benefit from the bill too but are now out on bail.