The Khon Kaen Provincial Court has dismissed a royal defamation charge filed against an activist who delivered a three-finger salute during a graduation ceremony at Khon Kaen University.
The incident took place after law graduate Songpol ‘Yajai’ Sonthirak received his degree from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at a ceremony on Dec 20, 2022, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.
The Court ruled on Tuesday that although Mr Songpol’s gesture could be seen as anti-monarchy and disrespectful, Princess Sirindhorn is not covered by the royal defamation law.
Section 112 of the Criminal Code covers only the King, the Queen, the heir to the throne and the regent.
The court said that while Princess Sirindhorn was acting on behalf of the King at the ceremony, the King’s representative is not a person protected under Section 112, which requires a strict literal interpretation.
The three-finger salute, from the Hunger Games movies, was adopted by the youth-led protest movement that staged a number of large demonstrations in Thailand between 2020 and 2023.
More than 280 people, including 20 under age 18, have been charged under Section 112 for various acts committed during the protests. Many cases are still pending, while 33 people remain in detention awaiting trial or the outcome of appeals.
The complaint against Mr Songpol was filed by Kamon Kitkasiwat, the leader of a royalist group in Khon Kaen, who was an MP candidate for the royalist Thai Pakdee Party at the time.
Mr Songpol also faced two computer crime charges for giving interviews to two online news outlets about the graduation ceremony incident. Those charges were also dismissed.