The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint initiative of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has reported new convictions in Thailand involving five pro-democracy activists. The group includes Mr Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer and recipient of the 2025 Front Line Defenders Award, alongside Ms Wanwalee “Tee” Thammasattaya, Mr Phongsatorn “Boy” Tancharoen, Mr Promsorn “Fah” Veerathamjaree, and Mr Nawat “Amp” Liangwattana.
Convictions and Sentences
On 30 October 2026, the Criminal Court found the five individuals guilty under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly known as lèse-majesté legislation. The charges stemmed from their participation in a peaceful demonstration held outside the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) headquarters in Bangkok on 25 November 2020. The court sentenced each activist to four years in prison, a term subsequently reduced to two years and eight months per person due to the consideration of their testimonies as useful.
Mr Arnon Nampa remains detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison, where he has been held since his initial conviction on 26 September 2023. This latest sentence adds two years and eight months to his total accumulated prison term, which now stands at 34 years, five months, and 20 days across 12 separate convictions between 2020 and 2021. All convictions are currently under appeal, with numerous bail applications consistently denied. Between September 2023 and February 2026, Nampa submitted 93 bail applications and 43 appeals against denial orders, all of which were rejected.
Detention Status of Other Activists
Ms Wanwalee Thammasattaya and Mr Phongsatorn Tancharoen are being held at the Bangkok Remand Prison while awaiting the Court of Appeal’s decision on their bail requests. Mr Promsorn Veerathamjaree is serving time at Thanyaburi District Prison, having previously undertaken a hunger strike lasting more than 60 days to demand release. His total sentence now reaches 10 years and two months due to three prior convictions. Mr Nawat Liangwattana is incarcerated at the Bangkok Remand Prison, with a cumulative sentence of eight years and eight months resulting from two previous convictions.
Context and International Response
The 2020 rally was organized by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration and Free Youth, drawing approximately 2,000 participants who called for the resignation of then Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, constitutional amendments, and monarchy reform. During the event, Mr Nampa spoke regarding legislation on the Thai monarchy and the management of royal assets. SCB is a major shareholder of the Crown Property Bureau, recently renamed the Privy Council Purse, and King Rama X.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, at least 294 people, including 20 minors, were charged under Article 112 between 24 November 2020 and 6 October 2026. On 30 August 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention classified Mr Nampa’s detention as arbitrary, urging immediate release and compensation. Despite this opinion, issued in response to a petition filed by the Observatory and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights on 5 March 2024, Thai authorities have continued prosecutions. The Observatory emphasizes that these actions violate Thailand’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, specifically Articles 9, 14, 19, 21, and 22, which protect liberty, fair trial rights, and freedoms of expression and assembly.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
