Thai court grants bail to pro-democracy protest leader

A court in Thailand has allowed the release on bail of one of the top leaders of the country’s pro-democracy movement who is awaiting trial on charges of defaming the monarchy

BANGKOK -- A court in Thailand on Thursday allowed the release on bail of one of the top leaders of the country’s pro-democracy movement who is awaiting trial on charges of defaming the monarchy. Panusaya “Rung” Sitthijirawattanakul was released on 200,000 baht ($6,400) bail on the condition that she must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. She also is prohibited from joining any activities that defame the monarchy or leaving the country without permission, and must appear at regular appointments with the court. She was charged with violating the lese majeste law after leading several protest rallies last year at which she gave speeches proposing reform of the country’s monarchy. The lese majeste law carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison per count. The pro-democracy movement that sprang up last year held street demonstrations with three core demands: the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government, amendment of the constitution to make it more democratic, and reform of the monarchy to make it more accountable.