THAILAND: Death in custody of 61-year old grandfather jailed for allegedly sending four SMS messages
Mr. Amphon Tangnoppakul (aka Ah Kong)
Statement : The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes to express our grief and extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Amphon Tangnoppakul, who was found dead in prison custody on 8 May 2012. Amphon (also known to his family as "Ah Kong" or "grandfather," and to the public at "Uncle SMS"), a 61-year-old man, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 23 November 2011 in Black Case No. 311/2554. The Criminal Court convicted him of four violations under section 112 of the Criminal Code and under the 2007 Computer Crimes Act for allegedly sending four SMS messages to Mr. Somkiat Klongwattanasak, personal secretary of the former prime minister, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva. These four SMS messages allegedly contained vulgar language defaming the Thai queen and insulting the honour of the monarchy. Read More...
THAILAND: Concerns over delayed verdict in criminal case against free media advocate
Statement : On 30 April 2012, the Criminal Court in Bangkok was scheduled to read its verdict in Black Case No. 1667/2553 on ten alleged violations of the 2007 Computer Crimes Act. The defendant is Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the 44-year-old webmaster of Prachatai, an independent online news site. Suddenly, instead of reading the decision, 20 minutes before the proceedings were to begin court staff notified Chiranuch and her lawyers that the decision would be delayed for an additional month. The rather dubious reason given by the court for the delay was that the judges had too many documents to read, and could not complete preparing the verdict in time for the scheduled date. Read More...
May 09, 2012 Statement
May 08, 2012 Statement
Mar 05, 2012 Statement
Feb 20, 2012 Urgent Appeal Update
Feb 13, 2012 Urgent Appeal Update
Dec 09, 2011 Statement
Aug 11, 2011 Statement
Jun 29, 2011 Press Release
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