A prisoner who was due for release at the end of this year has had another two years added to his sentence because a picture of him taken in the prison was posted on Facebook and circulated widely in the social media.
Mawin Somphanthawong, 28, is serving a five-year term in Phitsanulok province and was looking forward to regaining his freedom. Instead, he was sentenced to another two years and fined 500 baht for breaking the prisoner's code of conduct, according to Phitsanulok prison authorities.
After his picture went viral, the Correctison Department ordered a raid at the prison and a search for mobile phones, drugs and other banned items.
Prison officials found and seized an old mobile phone, which cannot use online functions, among his possessions.
Mawin told officials that his friend took the picture and posted it online for him.
Mawin Somphanthawong strikes a pose in prison.