Arnon Nampa, a Thai human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist, has been repeatedly sentenced under Thailand’s lèse-majesté law for peacefully advocating for monarchy reform. As of May 2025, he is serving over 24 years in prison, with more charges pending that could raise his sentence to 140 years. His convictions stem from public speeches, online posts, and an open letter criticizing the monarchy—acts the Thai government has criminalized under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act. Since his initial arrest in August 2020, Arnon has been denied bail over 40 times and was most recently forced to appear in court wearing leg shackles, a practice condemned by rights groups for violating both Thai law and international human rights standards.
Arnon works with Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), defending others also targeted for activism. His case has become emblematic of the Thai government’s broader crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression. Despite the state’s judicial harassment, Arnon received the 2025 Front Line Defenders Award in recognition of his courageous legal and advocacy work. Human rights organizations are calling for his immediate release and for Thailand to uphold its obligations under international law, including protections against cruel and degrading treatment.