Thailand: Court drops ‘Penguin’ contempt charge

• The Criminal Court on 28 Oct 20 dropped the contempt of court charge against Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, leader of the anti-government Free People group after he apologised for his actions.
• The court on 28 Oct 20 considered the case in which Mr Parit was charged with contempt of court for directing people to gather at the court on 8 Aug 20 and obstruct the legal proceedings in the court case involving protest leaders Arnon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok.
• Mr Parit, now detained in prison on charges connected to the anti-government protests, flashed a three-finger salute while he was being taken to the court in a Corrections Department vehicle.
• Mr Parit has accepted that his action was not appropriate and promised not to break the law again, the lawyer said.
• The court reprimanded Mr Parit and made him promise not to repeat his wrongdoing in the future before dropping the case against him.
• Also on 28 Oct 20, four other protest co-leaders and their lawyers arrived at Pathumwan police station to acknowledge charges they face for violating the “serious” state of emergency during the 16 Oct 20 demonstration of Pathumwan intersection.
• The four protest leaders are Korakot Saengyenphan, Suwanna Tarnlek, Chartchai Kaedam and Sirapob Phumpheungphut.
• Mr Korakot said they denied the charges and blamed the government for imposing the emergency decree without a sound reason.

External Link : https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2010115/court-drops-penguin-contempt-charge