Former lese majeste cons pool efforts to end stigma

Former lese majeste cons pool efforts to end stigma

Former prisoners jailed for lese majeste and crimes related to political unrest have set up a support network to deal with the social stigma of their criminal records.

A key ring souvenir made for sale by inmates imprisoned for activities related to the 2010 political unrest.

A dozen lese majeste prisoners led by Thantawut Twewarodomgul and some 30 former prisoners convicted for political offences dating back to the red- and yellow-shirt clashes in 2008, have united under the Network of People Affected by Imprisonment in Political Conflicts After the Coup (NPAIPC).

The network is aimed at helping former prisoners by collecting and sharing information about them with the rest of society.

By creating a list of who they are and what they do, the network believes wider support can be found for them.

"We've been struggling in society because the political climate is different from that of the time before our imprisonment.

Economically and socially speaking, we've been devastated," said Mr Thantawut.

Also known as "Noom Red Nonthaburi", Mr Thantawut, who was politically active, even behind bars, joining with fellow inmates to establish solidarity, has been instrumental in pooling resources to form the network to support the former prisoners.

Mr Thantawut was sentenced for 13 years for lese majeste and computer crimes. He was alleged to have been the web master of "Nor Por Chor USA" the website for Thai red shirts in the US.

He has always maintained that he only built the website and did not select its content, which was deemed to include lese majeste material.

He was released on July 5 last year after 480 days of imprisonment.

The network was inspired by attempts by relatives of lese majeste defendants and prisoners to secure their loved ones' releases, particularly by the releases of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk and Surachai Danwattananusorn.

Mr Somyot, by the end of April, would have been in Bangkok Remand Prison for three years. He's still waiting for an Appeal Court verdict.

As editor of the Voice of Taksin magazine he was found guilty in 2011 of running an article including lese majeste content.

Mr Surachai, better known as Surachai Sae Dan, was released on a royal pardon in October last year after serving time for a number of lese majeste convictions.  He said efforts to release political prisoners using amnesty laws have turned out to be a disaster for both prisoners and the government they supported.

"The only practical way [to seek release] is to appeal for royal pardon," said Mr Surachai who is also a member of the NPAIPC.

He said any actions which could help former inmates have a better life should be supported. He acknowledged that life after prison could be difficult for former political prisoners.

Thai authorities maintain there are no political prisoners in Thailand, only those jailed for committing crimes under Thai law.

Daeng Puanmool, 43, from Chiang Mai is also a member of the NPAIPC. He was released from prison two months ago after being jailed for three years and eight months for attempted murder during the mayhem between red and yellow shirts in 2008, when Somchai Wongsawadi was premier.

Mr Daeng used to work as a tour operator, but after he was imprisoned, his wife left him and his two teenage children.

"At the time of my arrest, I was a red-shirt guard for the Rak Chiang Mai 51. But the group did not help much to care for me," said Mr Daeng, during his trip to Bangkok this week.

Like other prisoners, he received some assistance from individual activists who had close links with certain key figures of the Pheu Thai Party.

Mr Daeng is making cloth bags, stuffed toys, key chains, and pins for a living. Mr Thantawut and Mr Surachai were invited to speak at several forums. Thantawut has been producing pins with a cartoon of Somsak Jeamteerasakul's face.

Currently, there are six lese majeste prisoners in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, 23 at Lak Si Temporary Prison, and another 30 nationwide.

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