The trial of Red Shirt activist Akechai Hongkangwarn, accused of violating Thailand’s lèse majesté law, concluded Friday morning at Ratchada Criminal Court. The verdict is set for March 28th.
Akechai was arrested on March 11th 2011 for allegedly selling video CD recordings of a documentary by the Australian ABC channel on Thailand’s royal institution, but was granted bail on March 18th. Akechai insists that he had no intention to insult or defame the monarchy.
A dedicated activist and freelance journalist who has worked for the UDD, Akechai is hopeful that the court will decide in his favour.
It will be interesting to see how court handles this case in light of the fact that the CD of the Australian TV show appears to speak for itself in establishing certain facts.