Shinnawat: contemp of court by public speech

On 29 April 2021, the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration organized public assembly at the Criminal Court at 12.00 pm. Aimed of the gathering was to show support to those who were detained pending for political trials as well as their family.

Organizer also planed to hand petition signed by over 7000 supporters called for the temporaly release of all detainees. Participants of this public assembly gathered inside the court compound, in front of the Crimional Court building main entrance where barricade was set by the court security officer. 

 

While the gathering went on, Benja Apan and Natchanon Pairoj from the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration made speech criticize the court with regard to the rejection of activist's bail petition. SInce non of court official was assigned to recive petition from the group public gathering had turned in to protest.

Benja break throught the baricade then she ran up and down over the stairway of the court. She then threw a pile of petition and read poem "A Poem to the Great Jurist" that was written by Anon Numpha who at the time was detained pending for lese majeste trial. 

 

As for Shinnawat, he stood behind the authorities's barricade then made speech. Overall, Shinnawat's speech focus on the demand of right to bal of political detainees and made remarks whether the court operate impartialy or it had act on behalf of someone. During his speech, Shinnawat also said "The Thai court had murderer" he also said the word "Mother fucker" during his speech.

 

The situation in the court later cool down in the evening after mother of Parit one of the detained activist along with lawyer from Thai Lawyer for Human Rights came to negotiate with the protester to remain claim. The protester then moved out to gather outside the court compound on foot path of Radchadaphisek road.

 

Later, the Director of the Criminal Court Administrative Office submitted situation report to the Prsident of the Criminal Court led to inquiry of 3 individul who may responsible for the contemp of court including Shinnawat, Benja and Natchanon.

 

The court Inquiry the case of Shinnawat on 8 June 2021, two witnesses including  Director of the Criminal Court Administrative Office and Shinnawat himself gave their testimony to the court.

In the same day the court found Shinnawat guilty for contempt of court and sentenced him to 4 months in prison. Shinnawat deposit 10000 Baht cash to the court as bail asset. The court then release him on bail pending for his appeal.