KHON KAEN -- The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the Appeals Court's decision to reject bail for anti-coup activist Jaturapat Boonpattararaksa, alias Pai Daodin, accused of lese majeste for allegedly sharing an offensive link about His Majesty the King on Facebook.
The Supreme Court's decision was read at the Khon Kaen Provincial Court in the presence of Mr Jaturapat, a member of the so-called New Democracy Movement.
Mr Jatupat, a Khon Kaen University law student, was arrested in Chaiyaphum last month after sharing a controversial BBC Thai website report about His Majesty the King. He was charged with lese majeste under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
The Khon Kaen provincial court initially granted him bail at 400,000 baht. However, the bail was revoked on Dec 22 following a police request.
According to police, after he was released, the activist failed to delete the messages he had posted on his Facebook that led to his arrest on the lese majeste charge. He also made further comments and stirred up sentiment on social media in a way which could be construed as an attempt to challenge state power and show disrespect for the rule of law.
His lawyers lodged a petition with the Appeals Court against the bail revocation, but the court threw out the petition.
On Dec 30, the lawyers forwarded the petition to the Supreme Court, which on Friday upheld the Appeals Court's decision.
Also today, the Khon Kaen Provincial Court approved a police request to further detain Mr Jaturapat for the fourth round from Jan 9-20.
Athipong Phuphiew, one of Mr Jaturapat's lawyers, said a new bail request would be filed with the provincial court, probably with a larger surety.