Prominent Thai Activist Faces Additional Prison Time for Royal Insult

Arnon Nampa, a well-known Thai activist and lawyer, received an additional four-year prison sentence for violating Thailand's royal insults law. Already serving a 10-year term, he was found guilty over social media posts criticizing the monarchy in 2021. Thailand's lese majeste law heavily penalizes perceived insults to the crown.

Arnon Nampa, a prominent Thai activist, was sentenced to an additional four years in prison for violating Thailand's royal insults law, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

The 39-year-old lawyer was found guilty of lese majeste over two social media posts made in 2021 and for violating the country's computer crimes act.

Arnon is currently serving a 10-year sentence for three previous royal insult convictions and breaching a pandemic-era public gathering ban. Thailand's lese majeste law, among the world's strictest, mandates up to 15 years in prison per perceived insult to the monarchy.

Arnon, who denies the charges, led 2020 protests calling for monarchy reforms, challenging a sacrosanct Thai institution. Arrest warrants have also been issued for two leaders of the youth-led demonstrations.

(With inputs from agencies.)