Today marks the third anniversary of the incarceration of Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, alias ‘Da Torpedo’, on charges of lèse majesté. In 2008, Ms. Daranee was charged with making several remarks deemed to be lèse majesté in speeches on the stage of UDD rallies. She was convicted on three counts of insulting the King and Queen and given a six-year sentence on each count – in total, an 18 year sentence. The court did not allow for a suspension of her jail term.

The Constitutional Court has postponed its ruling on the case of Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul to 17 Oct, the Criminal Court told her lawyer Prawase Praphanukul yesterday.

On 1 Mar, the Appeals Court denied bail to Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, citing the same reasons as Court of First Instance, which had dismissed the bail request on 23 Feb, that the alleged offences carry severe penalties and affect the revered monarchy, and that she might flee.