Ruling against activist Bor Kor Lai Jud upheld

Sombat, better known as “Bor Kor Lai Jud”, was among the first political activists summoned by the NCPO soon after it staged the coup in 2014. However, he did not respond to the order and consequently was arrested less than two weeks later.
Sombat was prosecuted for failing to report to the NCPO as well as failing to abide by an order given by a legally authorised public officer.
The Criminal Court ruled that the NCPO’s announcement against dissenters, which carries the punishment of up to Bt40,000 fine and up to two-year imprisonment, came later after the action had already been committed. Hence, it should not have retrospective effect, the court said.
This is in addition to the fact that the NCPO’s announcement targeted certain people as enlisted in the summons. The court explained that it was illegitimate to issue a law in order to punish specific people.
However, Sombat remained guilty of violating Section 368 of the Criminal Code for his disobedience to the authority’s order, according to the ruling. He was fined Bt500, without being held liable to imprisonment.
But both the accuser and the defendant appealed the verdict. The Appeal Court last year ruled that he was guilty and should be fined Bt3,000 and serve two months in jail, but suspended the punishment for one year.
Sombat has other political cases ongoing in the court, including sedition and lese majeste charges.