A Thailand court has denied bail to four popular democracy activists who had been charged with violation of the kingdom's royal defamation law.

Four activists were charged for defaming the royal family of Thailand and the government of Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha during a series of protests that took place in the country last year.

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Thousands had flocked to the streets to raise voices against the government and the monarch family alleging them of mistreatment and corruption. However, these protests were not welcomed by the authorities.

Criticism of monarchy is considered to be illegal in the kingdom and carries penalties of up to 15 years in jail.

Among these four activists is also the popular student activist Parit Chiwarak, also known as Penguin, and human rights lawyer Anon Numpa. While Numpa has been charged with lese majeste at least seven times, Chiwarak has been charged more than a dozen times.&nbsp;

The four will have to undergo a pre-trial before they can formally stand trial.

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Nearly 50 people have been charged with the same in the past but while usually people have been granted bail, for the first time four activists have been denied bail.

"The court has not allowed bail based on it being a case with high penalties, and the defendants may repeat the actions," said Krisadang Nutcharut, a lawyer for the activists.&nbsp;

In addition to this, the four activists have also been indicted for sedition and may face a penalty of seven years in jail, if proven guilty. They have also been charged with violating anti-gathering rules and other laws.

A Thailand court has denied bail to four popular democracy activists who had been charged with violation of the kingdom's royal defamation law. Four activists were charged for defaming the royal family of Thailand and the government of Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha during a series of protests that took place in the country last year.

A Thailand court has denied bail to four popular democracy activists who had been charged with violation of the kingdom's royal defamation law. Four activists were charged for defaming the royal family of Thailand and the government of Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha during a series of protests that took place in the country last year. Also see| Thailand celebrates its Teachers' Day with fresh protests Thousands had flocked to the streets to raise voices against the government and the monarch family alleging them of mistreatment and corruption. However, these protests were not welcomed by the authorities. Criticism of monarchy is considered to be illegal in the kingdom and carries penalties of up to 15 years in jail. Among these four activists is also the popular student activist Parit Chiwarak, also known as Penguin, and human rights lawyer Anon Numpa. While Numpa has been charged with lese majeste at least seven times, Chiwarak has been charged more than a dozen times. The four will have to undergo a pre-trial before they can formally stand trial. Also read| Thailand confirms 374 new COVID-19 cases Nearly 50 people have been charged with the same in the past but while usually people have been granted bail, for the first time four activists have been denied bail. "The court has not allowed bail based on it being a case with high penalties, and the defendants may repeat the actions," said Krisadang Nutcharut, a lawyer for the activists. In addition to this, the four activists have also been indicted for sedition and may face a penalty of seven years in jail, if proven guilty. They have also been charged with violating anti-gathering rules and other laws.

In a first, four Thai pro-democracy activists denied bail for defaming royals

A prominent Thai human rights lawyer faces a prison term of up to 150 years if convicted on 10 counts of royal defamation under Thailand&#39;s harsh royal insult law, the legal watchdog Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said on Thursday.

Prawet Prapanukul, 57, provided legal assistance to members of a political opposition group, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, and served as legal counsel in a high-profile royal insult case.

He was detained in a raid on his home by police and troops on the weekend.

Prawet appeared in a Bangkok court on Wednesday and was charged with 10 counts of royal insult and three counts of breaking Section 116 of Thailand&#39;s criminal code, the equivalent of sedition.

&quot;Prawet faces 10 counts of breaking Article 112, so that works out to up to 150 years in prison if he is found guilty,&quot; Anon Nampha of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told Reuters.

&quot;He also faces three separate charges of breaking Article 116 which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison for each offence.&quot;

It was not immediately clear what Prawet might have written or said that led to his arrest and charges.

A spokesman for the military government said he was unable to comment on the case.

Thailand&#39;s military seized power from an elected civilian government in a May 2014 coup.

Since then, the junta has detained hundreds of politicians, activists, journalists and others accused of being involved in anti-junta protests and activities.

Some have been held incommunicado in unofficial places of detention, such as military camps.

It has also taken a hardline stance against alleged transgressors of Article 112 of the criminal code which makes anyone found guilty of insulting the monarchy liable to imprisonment for up to 15 years.

The lawyers&#39; group said Prawet was charged along with five others, who also faced charges under the royal insult law.

He is in pre-trial detention at a Bangkok remand prison after being held incommunicado at the 11th Army Circle base in Bangkok, a facility the military uses as a temporary prison.

Lese majeste laws have an impact on what any news organisation, including Reuters, can report about issues relating to Thailand&#39;s monarchy.

(Reuters)

Prawet Prapanukul, 57, provided legal assistance to members of a political opposition group and served as legal counsel in a high-profile royal insult case

A prominent Thai human rights lawyer faces a prison term of up to 150 years if convicted on 10 counts of royal defamation under Thailand's harsh royal insult law, the legal watchdog Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said on Thursday. Prawet Prapanukul, 57, provided legal assistance to members of a political opposition group, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, and served as legal counsel in a high-profile royal insult case. He was detained in a raid on his home by police and troops on the weekend. Prawet appeared in a Bangkok court on Wednesday and was charged with 10 counts of royal insult and three counts of breaking Section 116 of Thailand's criminal code, the equivalent of sedition. "Prawet faces 10 counts of breaking Article 112, so that works out to up to 150 years in prison if he is found guilty," Anon Nampha of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told Reuters. "He also faces three separate charges of breaking Article 116 which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison for each offence." It was not immediately clear what Prawet might have written or said that led to his arrest and charges. A spokesman for the military government said he was unable to comment on the case. Thailand's military seized power from an elected civilian government in a May 2014 coup. Since then, the junta has detained hundreds of politicians, activists, journalists and others accused of being involved in anti-junta protests and activities. Some have been held incommunicado in unofficial places of detention, such as military camps. It has also taken a hardline stance against alleged transgressors of Article 112 of the criminal code which makes anyone found guilty of insulting the monarchy liable to imprisonment for up to 15 years. The lawyers' group said Prawet was charged along with five others, who also faced charges under the royal insult law. He is in pre-trial detention at a Bangkok remand prison after being held incommunicado at the 11th Army Circle base in Bangkok, a facility the military uses as a temporary prison. Lese majeste laws have an impact on what any news organisation, including Reuters, can report about issues relating to Thailand's monarchy. (Reuters)

Thai lawyer faces up to 150 years in prison for 'royal insult'

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In a first, four Thai pro-democracy activists denied bail for defaming royals

Thai lawyer faces up to 150 years in prison for 'royal insult'