PUBLISHED: 29 Aug 2024 at 19:38
Prominent political activist Panupong “Mike Rayong” Jadnok has arrived in New Zealand, where he plans to seek political asylum after facing serious lese majeste charges. His arrival marks a significant turn in his quest for safety after being charged for posting a message deemed defamatory towards the monarchy.
Welcoming him to his new home, fellow political refugee Eakapop Luara, known as Tang Achiwa, expressed support on social media, stating, “Welcome to a new land, a land of freedom with a welfare state that supports every life. Enjoy the beginning of your new life.”
Earlier this year, Panupong received a four-year prison sentence for violating the lese majeste law and the Computer Crimes Act; however, his sentence was later reduced to three years due to his cooperation during the trial.
The charges originated from a Facebook post made on November 8 of the previous year, where the court found that the content was offensive to the monarchy. An arrest warrant followed after Panupong missed a scheduled court appearance for sentencing in March 2024.
Meanwhile, developments continue in the realm of political freedoms in Thailand. Recently, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that a Naresuan University postgraduate student, identified as “Tee,” received a conviction for distributing literature discussing Section 112 cases. The court sentenced Tee to three years in prison, later reduced to two years due to his age and the limited distribution of the materials.
