Detained activist for royal defamation goes on fifth hunger strike
A detained pro-democracy activist, who has been prosecuted for royal defamation, is on his fifth hunger strike demanding the right to bail. Promsorn Veerathamjaree is facing a total of six royal defamation cases, with two cases now before the Supreme Court and two in the Appeal Court. Most of the cases stem from his speeches at pro-democracy protests. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, he has gone on hunger strikes five times. The activist went on his first hunger strike in 2021 after he was detained during the inquiry stage for the royal defamation case in which he threw dog food at an image of King Vajiralongkorn, demanding the release of a pro-democracy activist. That hunger strike lasted for 19 days from 18 March to 5 April 2021. His second hunger strike started on 26 April 2021 after he was still denied bail. At the same time, many detained political prisoners also began hunger strikes after being denied bail. In May 2021, the Appeal Court granted him bail following five requests. His second hunger strike lasted 15 days, ending after being released on 11 May.In August 2021, Promsorn, together with nine other activists, were arrested after a protest demanding the release of members of the activist group Thalufah. He was denied bail and went on hunger strike on 15 August 2021, during which he was hospitalised at the Corrections Hospital for COVID-19. His third hunger strike ended on 23 August 2021. In this case, Promsorn was released on 15 September 2021. The fourth hunger strike began on 10 March 2026 after the Appeal Court denied him bail in the case in which he threw dog food at the King’s image on 14 January 2021. He also demanded that amnesty be granted to those who faced royal defamation charges. This time, he consumed only water.The Supreme Court denied him bail twice on the grounds that he posed a flight risk. Meanwhile, he insisted that his family needed to be taken care of. On 19 March, he ceased the hunger strike due to concerns over deterioration in his health. The latest hunger strike began on 1 July after the Supreme Court denied his fourth bail request. This time, Promsorn insisted that he wanted to leave prison to take care of his parents, who have health conditions. This fifth hunger strike has entered its 50th day, the longest he has ever been on. The indictment inthe royal defamation case, which prompted his latest hunger strike stated that he threw dog food at an image of King Vajiralongkorn displayed above the name sign of Khlong Luang Police Station, which was seen as a symbolic insult implying that the police were dogs and the King was the owner of the dogs.The Court of First Instance sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison. However, the term was reduced to two years and ten months in prison following his guilty plea. Promsorn was released on bail pending appeal.On 9 March, the Appeal Court denied bail and ruled to uphold the initial verdict and sentence.
eng editor 3
Mon, 2026-08-24 - 12:03
News
Royal defamation
Section 112
lese majeste
Promsorn Veerathamjaree
right to bail
hunger strike