Thai protest leader faces contempt charge over PM court ruling
[BANGKOK] Thai authorities filed fresh legal action Thursday against a pro-democracy protest leader after he criticised a court ruling that kept the prime minister in office.
The kingdom's constitutional court on Wednesday ruled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha was not guilty of a conflict of interest by living in an army residence after leaving the military.
The ruling angered some 5,000 protesters who took to the streets, and student leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak encouraged the crowd to raise their middle fingers at the judges, defying a court warning against "vulgar" criticism.
A court representative filed a contempt case against him at the Technology Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok on Thursday, citing his Facebook posts and speeches on stage.
It is the latest legal challenge to the youth-led protest movement that has shaken Thailand since July calling for Mr Prayut's resignation, constitutional reform and changes to the once-untouchable, ultra-rich monarchy.
Five protest leaders including Penguin have been charged under the kingdom's strict royal defamation laws, which prohibit any criticism of the king and his family.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Asean Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.
And more than 170 other protesters have been charged - nearly 50 for "sedition", which can carry a seven-year prison sentence.
AFP
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Saudi Arabia hikes oil selling prices for all grades to Asia
Slowing global economy to mean smaller revenue bump in Australian budget
Emerging-market optimism dashed by Fed as currencies, bonds sink
France’s Macron set to press China’s Xi on trade, Ukraine
Israeli Cabinet votes to shut down Al Jazeera’s local operations
Ukraine eases some wartime capital controls for businesses