Thai Woman Freed After Lengthy Royal Insult Sentence

A Thai woman, Anchan Preelert, was released from prison on Wednesday, August 27th, as part of a mass pardon coinciding with the king's birthday. Her release marked the end of a lengthy imprisonment, one of the longest sentences ever handed down for royal insult in the kingdom.

Anchan, aged 69, had been incarcerated since 2021. Her sentence stemmed from sharing online audio clips on YouTube. These clips featured an underground podcast host, DJ Banpodj, who was known for his strong criticism of the monarchy.

Initially, Anchan received a sentence of 87 years. This was based on the 29 counts of lese-majeste she faced, with each count resulting in a three-year sentence. However, the court reduced the sentence by half due to her confession.

Anchan, a former civil servant, was first arrested in 2015. This occurred during the period when Thailand was under military government rule. After approximately eight years of imprisonment, Anchan was freed from the Central Women's Correctional Institution in Bangkok. She was among 84 other inmates who also received clemency.

Upon her release, Anchan was seen wearing a white T-shirt and a purple scarf. She acknowledged supporters who offered her flowers and held signs welcoming her home. She expressed her feelings to reporters, stating that her eight years in prison had been a bitter experience.