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Anchan was sentenced to 43 years in prison for posting audio clips on social media, said to be critical of the royal family Anchan, now in her 60s, stands to not just lose her job, but her pension as well

- Gamini Akmeemana

In some parts of the world, authorities have used COVID-19 regulations as an excuse to curb calls for greater democracy and freedom. Thailand, though not one of the countries that was worst hit by the pandemic in Asia, unfortunately falls in the above category.

The government used regulations against mass gatherings to break up the massive pro-democracy protests which swept the country last year. The protests by mostly young people were aimed at the Thai monarchy, increasingly under attack as an insular and undemocratic institution. The demonstrators demanded that it should declare its vast wealth and be accountable under the country’s constitution.

Official reaction has been severe. Using draconian anti-defamation laws which forbid any criticism of the king, the heir apparent and the queen, dozens of protesters, some as young as sixteen, were arrested last November.

One woman civil servant, identified as Anchan, has been sentenced to 43 years in prison for posting audio clips on Facebook and You Tube said to be critical of the royal family. Normally, those charged can face from three to 15 years in prison.

The severity of the sentence sent shock waves through Thai society. Anchan, now in her 60s, stands to not just lose her job, but her pension as well. She said in her defence that she merely shared the clips on social media with hundreds of others.

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