An activist was sentenced to eight months in prison by the Criminal Court today for vandalizing the wall of the Grand Palace with spray paint.
The defendant, 26-year-old Sutthavee Soikham, was apprehended on March 28 of last year. He was caught in the act of spray-painting the wall of the Grand Palace along Na Phra Lan Road in the Phra Nakhon district, while several of his friends recorded the incident using their smartphones.
The court convicted Soikham of violating both the Ancient Monuments, Antique Objects of Art and National Museum Act, and the Cleanliness Act. Originally sentenced to one year in prison, his term was reduced to eight months.
Officials noted that the vandalism took place in a highly protected area, underscoring the severity of the offense. The sentencing reflects the court’s stance on preserving national heritage sites and maintaining public cleanliness.