Two sentenced for lese majeste charges over role in play
Play
Two theatre actors, one of whom is a university student, were Monday sentenced to two and a half years in prison for allegedly staging a play in 2013 that deemed defamatory to the monarchy.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, 24, a fourth year student at Khon Kaen University, and Pornthip Munkong, 27, former coordinator of Prakai Fai Theatre Troupe, were found guilty of lese majeste for performing in the play “A Wolf’s Bride”. The play was staged at Thammasat University to mark the 40th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 uprising.
The pair was arrested in August last year over lese majeste charges as well as for widely distributing the play via the Internet. Since both pleaded guilty, their sentence was reduced from five to two and half years.
The courtroom was packed with members of the defendants’ family and friends, who reacted to the verdict with tears.
