Anon Nampa

Anon Nampa (Thai: อานนท์ นำภา; RTGS: Anon Nampha, also spelt Anon Numpa; born 18 August 1984) is a Thai human rights activist, lawyer, pro-democracy activist and political activist. He is renowned in Thailand for openly criticizing the monarchy of Thailand, breaking the country's taboo.[1] He was initially regarded as a prominent human rights defender during his tenure as a human rights lawyer and later accumulated multiple criminal charges due to his active involvement in political activism. He is considered to be one of the leading figures of the 2020 Thai protests.[2]

Anon Nampa
Born (1984-08-18) 18 August 1984
Roi Et, Thailand
NationalityThai
Alma materRamkhamhaeng University
OccupationSocial activist, political activist, lawyer, human rights activist
Known forpolitical activism

Biography

Anon Nampa was born in a family background rich in agriculture in Roi Et Province. His parents were rice farmers.[1]

Career
Anon being dragged by officers upon his first arrest

Anon completed his higher education at Ramkhamhaeng University graduating in law. He became interested in human rights in 2006. In 2008, he pursued a career as a human rights lawyer and went onto to defend court cases on behalf of prominent high profile activists, including Ampon Tangnoppakul and Phai Dao-din, during the 2010 Thai political protests. His ability in handling the court cases earned him the nickname of 'lawyer for the Red Shirts'.[1]

Following the 2014 Thai coup d'état coup, Anon assisted fellow Thai lawyers in many human rights cases. He also started to engage in political activism himself. In 2015, he eventually co-founded the Resistant Citizen Group. Since becoming actively involved in political activism, several official cases have been brought against him, accusing him of violating the law.[1]

On 19 August 2020, Anon along with student activist Parit Chiwarak were arrested by officials after being charged for holding massive anti-government rallies on 18 July 2020 in Bangkok amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand.[3][4] They were also charged for violating COVID-19 safety health guidelines under Section 116 of the Criminal Code.[5]

After the 18 July demonstrations, another rally was held by Anon Nampa along with fellow prominent activist Panupong Jadnok on 3 August 2020. During the demonstration, Anon called for structural reform of monarchical rule in Thailand and further accused King Maha Vajiralongkorn of creating unprecedented changes in the constitution. His remarks on the monarchy and royal family were deemed controversial by the authorities as defamation of the Thai monarchy is illegal and could incur a sentence of 15 years as per the provisions of lèse majesté in Thailand. He was arrested around three times in August 2020 for conducting two different rallies on 18 July and 3 August.[6] In September 2020, the court revoked the bail appeal of Anon and Panupong Jadnok, and they were remanded until further notice. The court ruled that both of them had breached their bail terms by taking part in protests.[7][8]

Anon has been accused by ultra-royalist conspiracy theorists of being part of a 'People's Revolution' global conspiracy against Thailand.[9]

Awards & Honor

See also

References
  1. Post, The Jakarta. "Three activists who break Thailand's deepest taboo". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  2. "คุม 'ทนายอานนท์ - ไมค์' ส่งศาลแล้วทั้งคู่ ทามกลางมวลชนนับร้อย". bangkokbiznews.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  3. "Thai police arrest nine in sweep against activists". BBC News. 20 August 0020. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  4. "Thailand: Police Again Detain Lawyer Involved in Anti-Govt Rallies". BenarNews. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  5. "Anon Nampa and other Thai youth protesters hit with arrest warrants". South China Morning Post. 19 August 2020. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  6. Post, The Jakarta. "Police arrest Thai activist over rally calling for reform of monarchy". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  7. "Thailand to jail protest activists for bail breach". BBC News. 3 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  8. Wongcha-um, Panu (4 September 2020). "Thailand jails protesters for breach of bail terms". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  9. "Thai protest icon is 'prepared' to cross kingdom's forbidden line". Nikkei Asian Review. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
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