An administrator of pro-democracy group Ratsadon’s Facebook page, who has been charged with lese majeste, was granted bail on January 2.

The calendar reportedly included pictures of Ratsadon’s icon – a rubber duck – as well as messages mocking issues pertaining to the monarchy. The pictures reportedly became grounds for the charge of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said police had arrested the admin without showing an arrest warrant or informing him of his rights. They presented only a search warrant issued by the Taling Chan Criminal Court in Bangkok.

The admin was initially detained at Nong Khaem Police Station and the commissioner there denied a bail bond offered by the suspect’s lawyer.

The admin on January 2 morning was sent to Taling Chan Criminal Court for detention. The court decided to allow detention of the suspect as the charge against him was severe.

However, it granted him bail late as a member of Parliament of the Move Forward Party offered a bail bond.

THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK