Pai Dao Din released early on royal pardon
Lese majeste prisoner and anti-coup activist Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpatararaksa was released from prison on Friday after serving nearly two- and-a-half years.
Pai had been jailed for sharing a BBC article deemed an insult to King Rama X. The court in Khon Kaen province handed down a five-year jail sentence but halved it to two years and six months after he confessed.
His prison term was due to end next month but he was given a royal pardon in the occasion of the King’s recent coronation. Ninety-nine other prisoners were released from prison in Khon Kaen on Friday.
As well as family and friends, scores of supporters welcomed Pai in front of the prison on Friday. Among them was newly-elected Future Forward MP Rangsiman Rome who had been an activist in the same pro-democracy network as Pai.
Pai told the press after the release that he was grateful for the King’s kindness and his pardons to prisoners.
Pai said he would continue fighting for human rights and democracy, although he wants to enjoy his freedom with his family first.