Phar Sanitwong: Posted message on Facebook criticized DSI

On 16 February 2017, Gen.Prayuth enforced Section 44 of the interim constitution to issue order of the head of NCPO no. 5/2017, announced the restriction over Dhammakaya temple. The order also stipulated that official of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), military, police and other administrative officials acting as the officials under these order while DSI was government body that was assigned to oversee operation at Dhammakaya temple.     

 

Phar Sanitwong a monk who is director of communication office of Dhammakaya temple posted messages on his Facebook criticized the operation of DSI. He was later accused under three different lawsuit including defamation by means of publication, sedition and accusation under Computer-related Crime Act.   

 

Phar Sanitwong surrender himself to the Crime Suppression Division on 9 March 2017, the police brought to the court and filed petition to remand him in custody before the Criminal Court. The Court later release Phar Sanitwong on bail with 400,000 Baht. 

 

On 7 June 2018, Phar Sanitwong changed his plea from no guilty to guilty. The court rendered a verdict in the same day, sentenced him under sedition and under criminal defamation to 1 year and 12 months in prison and fined him in the sum of 100,000 Baht. The court however suspended his sentence for 2 year period. The court also ordered Phar Sanitwong to be on probation for one year period and to report to probation official 4 times.