Court grants bail to woman accused of spreading rumours

Rinda “Lin” Paruechabut, 44, had earlier confessed to posting such statements on social media and has been charged with violating Articles 14 and 116 of the Computer Act, as well as causing turmoil, public disobedience and panic. Rinda is the owner of a cosmetics business. 

National police spokesman Pol Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri said the court had objected to an earlier bail request filed by her lawyer on grounds that the case was serious and could not be settled out of court even though the PM had chosen not to sue her. 

Lawyer Pawinee Chumsri said Monday that she had first filed for bail at the Bangkok Military Court on July 10, citing that her client had children and was not likely to flee the country. She added that it was also unlikely that Rinda would interfere in police investigation and witnesses or repeat the offence as police had seized all her computer equipment. 

Pawinee explained that though Rinda’s offence affected national security, she was really only voicing her opinion.