Somyot freed

Somyot with his son and daughter after release

Former Thailand YCW fulltime worker, Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, has been released from prison in Bangkok.

He was released on Monday 30 April after serving seven years in jail for lese majeste and defamation while editing a political magazine, The Voice of Taksin, the Bangkok Post reports.

"I am a bit disappointed that I came out and did not see democracy, but instead a place controlled by  NCPO orders," he was quoted as saying, a reference to the junta's National Council for Peace and Order.

Somyot was accused of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, by publishing two articles in 2010 that were deemed insulting to the royal family although he was not the writer.

Australia-Asia Worker Links reported in February that the government had unexpectedly reduced his term of imprisonment.

Somyot worked for the Thailand YCW from 1988-89.

SOURCES

Lese majeste prisoner Somyot released (Bangkok Post)

Somyot’s jail sentence reduced (Australia Asia Worker Links)

Somyot with former Thai YCW leader Sriprai Nonsee

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