Prosecutor's Appeal on Thanathorn's Royal Vaccine Case Pending Committee Decision

Khaosod•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The prosecutor is deliberating whether to appeal the court's acquittal of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit on lese-majeste charges related to royal vaccine comments, with the decision resting with a special committee.

•A special committee is evaluating whether to appeal the court's decision to acquit Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit in a lese-majeste case.
•The case, filed by a public prosecutor, concerns Thanathorn's criticism of the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement and a royal vaccine initiative.
•Thanathorn was accused of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act for his comments in a January 18, 2021 live stream.

Overview

•On May 28, 2026, the Criminal Court acquitted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit in a lese-majeste case.
•The Public Prosecutor's Office received the court's full verdict on May 29, 2026, for review regarding an appeal.
•Filing an appeal for lese-majeste cases does not fall under the authority of the appellate prosecutor; it requires consideration by a special committee.
•The Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases, established by the Attorney General, holds the authority to decide on appeals for Article 112 cases nationwide.
•The case stems from Thanathorn's January 18, 2021 live stream criticizing the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement and the 'Royal Vaccine' initiative.
•The Public Prosecutor's Office will forward the full verdict to the appellate prosecutor, who will then submit it to the Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases for a decision on whether to appeal.
•If the committee decides not to appeal, the opinion will be sent to the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police to potentially raise an objection.
•If the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police objects, the decision will go to the Attorney General for final arbitration on whether to file an appeal.

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Key Quotes

Nai Chairat Pavaganant

"Whether to appeal the verdict or not must be considered from the facts and legal points appearing in the case file and the verdict."

การจะอุทธรณ์คำพิพากษาหรือไม่ ต้องพิจารณาจากข้อเท็จจริงและข้อกฎหมายที่ปรากฏในสำนวนและในคำพิพากษา

Key Entities

Organization

Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases(กก.พิจารณาคดี112)

A special committee established by the Attorney General to review and decide on appeals for all lese-majeste cases (Article 112) nationwide, excluding extraterritorial cases.

Public Prosecutor(อัยการ)

The legal body responsible for prosecuting cases, including filing appeals when deemed appropriate and authorized.

Criminal Court(ศาลอาญา)

The judicial body that acquitted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit on charges of lese-majeste and violations of the Computer Crime Act.

Prosecutor of Criminal Case Division 5(พนักงานอัยการฝ่ายคดีอาญา 5)

The specific division of the public prosecutor's office that initially filed the case against Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

Office of the Attorney General(สำนักงานอัยการสูงสุด)

The highest prosecutorial body in Thailand, responsible for crucial decisions on appeals and the establishment of specialized committees.

Appellate Prosecutor(อัยการศาลสูง)

The prosecutor at the higher court level who receives case files for appeal consideration but does not make the final decision for Article 112 cases.

Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases of the Public Prosecutor(คณะกรรมการพิจารณาคดี 112 ของอัยการ)

The specific committee within the Office of the Attorney General tasked with the critical decision-making process for appeals in Article 112 cases nationwide.

Siam Bioscience(บริษัทสยามไบโอไซเอนซ์)

A company mentioned in the context of the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement and the 'Royal Vaccine' initiative, which was part of Thanathorn's criticism.

Director-General of the Office of Criminal Cases(อธิบดีอัยการสำนักงานคดีอาญา)

A key position within the Office of the Attorney General, serving as the ex-officio secretary of the Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases.

Director-General of the Office of Criminal Cases, Bangkok South(อธิบดีอัยการสำนักงานคดีอาญากรุงเทพใต้)

One of the regional Directors-General of the Office of Criminal Cases who sits on the Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases.

Director-General of the Office of Criminal Cases, Thonburi(อธิบดีอัยการสำนักงานคดีอาญาธนบุรี)

One of the regional Directors-General of the Office of Criminal Cases who sits on the Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases.

Director-General of the Office of Investigation(อธิบดีอัยการสำนักงานการสอบสวน)

A Director-General from the Office of Investigation who is part of the Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases, particularly when extraterritorial aspects are involved.

Person

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit(ธนาธร จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ)ℹ️

President of the Progressive Movement, who was acquitted of lese-majeste charges related to comments on royal vaccines.

Nai Chairat Pavaganant(ไชยรัตน์ ปาวะกะนันท์)

Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, who provided an update on the appeal process in the Thanathorn case.

Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police(ผบ.ตร.)

The head of the Royal Thai Police, who has the authority to object to a decision not to appeal an Article 112 case.

Thaksin Shinawatra(นายทักษิณ)ℹ️

Mentioned as an example of a lese-majeste case where the decision rests solely with the Attorney General (implying an extraterritorial case).

Prosecutorial Inspector(ผู้ตรวจการอัยการ)

A senior official within the prosecution service who can be a member of the Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases.

Deputy Directors-General from some offices(รองอธิบดีอัยการบางสำนักงาน)

Senior prosecutors who may be appointed to the Committee for Consideration of Section 112 Cases.

Law

Criminal Code Article 112(ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา มาตรา 112)

The lese-majeste law in Thailand, under which Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was charged.

Computer Crime Act(พ.ร.บ.ว่าด้วยการกระทำความผิดเกี่ยวกับคอมพิวเตอร์ฯ)

Legislation under which Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was also charged in relation to his online comments.