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Agence France-Presse

A Thai court on Thursday freed a prominent pro-democracy protest leader on bail after almost 200 days in detention.
Student-led demonstrations in 2020, calling for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s resignation and making unprecedented calls for reform to Thailand’s untouchable monarchy, drew tens of thousands at their peak.
But the movement petered out as Covid-19 case numbers surged and the authorities detained most of the leaders.
Thailand’s young protesters face wrath of the state with royal defamation law
Nearly 160 activists, including 13 juveniles, have been hit with criminal charges under Thailand’s tough royal defamation laws, which carry a jail sentence of up to 15 years per charge.
On Thursday a Bangkok court granted bail to university student Parit Chiwarak, better known in Thailand by his nickname “Penguin”, who is facing 23 lese-majesty charges.
The 23-year-old, who last year went on a 57-day hunger strike in jail, was freed on a 200,000 baht (US$6,000) bond, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which represented him.


As he walked free, wearing a white T-shirt and holding a white rose, Parit gave the three-fingered salute adopted as a gesture of defiance by the protest movement from the “Hunger Games” films.
“Truth never dies and will continue to live on … what we told is the truth,” he told reporters and well-wishers.
“The fight of the people will continue.”

Fellow protest leader Anon Numpa, 37, was denied bail as the court feared he would cause more trouble if released, according to a post on his Facebook page.
Fellow protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, who is out on bail and facing 10 royal defamation charges, sent messages of support to Parit and Anon.


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Thailand

Thai pro-democracy student leader Parit Chiwarak freed on bail for 2020 protests

Pro-democracy activist Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak waves a white rose and gives a three-fingered salute. Photo: AFP

Supporters gather ahead of the release of pro-democracy activist Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak. Photo: AFP

Thailand ramps up use of royal insult law, further stoking dissent among activists

Pro-democracy demonstrators give a three-finger salute while marching against the backdrop of a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters

16 January 2021, Thailand, Bangkok: A man makes three-finger salute from inside a police vehicle after being arrested during an anti-government protest calling for political-monarchy reforms and the resignation of the Prime Minister. Photo: Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images via ZUMA Wire/dpa

Benja Apan, a pro-democracy protestor, holds?a sign reading "Vaccine monopoly to promote the monarchy" as she protests against the government's vaccination strategy reliant on a company owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn amid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand January 19, 2021. Picture taken January 19, 2021. United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY

Police officers stand guard during a demonstration demanding to release the people arrested following the anti-government and reforming monarchy protests in Bangkok, Thailand, January 16, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Thailand’s pro-democracy protesters rally despite Covid-19 warnings from authorities

Pro-democracy supporters display the three-fingered symbol during a demonstration in Bangkok. photo: AP

Thailand’s Ratsamoms campaign for the release of youth protesters jailed for defaming royals

Sureerat Chiwarak, mother of arrested anti-government protest leader Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak. Photo: Reuters

Malai Nampha, mother of arrested anti-government protest leader Arnon Nampa, who faces lese majeste charges, attends a demonstration demanding his release in Bangkok, Thailand April 28, 2021. Picture taken April 28, 2021. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Pro-democracy protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul holds up the three finger salute outside the Office of the Attorney General in Bangkok on February 17, 2021, before the state prosecutor decided whether to indict 18 activists on charges including sedition and lese majeste related to anti-government protests in 2020. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Sureerat Chiwarak, mother of arrested anti-government protest leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, who faces lese majeste charges, attends a demonstration demanding his release after his hospitalization following a 46-day hunger strike, in Bangkok, Thailand April 28, 2021. Picture taken April 28, 2021. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

A poster of the Ratsamom movement. Photo: Handout

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‘Truth never dies and … The fight of the people will continue’, the student activist, known as ‘Penguin’, told reporters and well-wishers
Nearly 160 activists were hit with criminal charges under Thailand’s tough royal defamation laws, which carry a jail sentence of up to 15 years each



In 2020, nearly 160 activists were hit with criminal charges for the protests under Thailand’s tough royal defamation laws, which carry a jail sentence of up to 15 years each.


Thailand protests

Asian Royalty