Arnon Nampha’s Prison Letters: No. 6 [16 October 2023]

Today I was taken out [of the prison] to argue a case as a lawyer at the Bangkok Military Court, which has moved from Sanam Luang to Sri Sanam Road.  Being a lawyer clad in a prisoner uniform is wonderfully bizarre and not a problem in any way. It’s a bit inconvenient because I have shackles and walking is somewhat awkward. But I can argue my cases.

Many people likely do not know that the first case I argued in my professional life as a lawyer was a military court case in 2008. The case involved a conscript (he picked the red card). After training was over, the base let the new soldiers go home. My friend went and got into trouble and was hit with an attempted murder case. He didn’t have a lawyer, and so I had to become his lawyer. It was in the Roi Et Military Court. This was the first case of “Lawyer Arnon,” a lawyer all caught up with a conscript. That case took a long time to wind through the court before it was dismissed in the end. My life as a lawyer was off to a flying start.

Then in 2014, there was the coup and the order for civilians to be tried in the military courts. I had the opportunity to once again argue cases in the military courts.  There were a lot of cases in the Bangkok Military Court, then Pai Dao Din’s case in the Khon Kaen Military Court, Sian Waen’s case in the Chiang Rai Military Court, the case of the anti-coup flyers in the Chonburi Military Court, and the case of the villagers living in the forest preserve in the Chiang Mai Military Court.

I feel that it is an honor to practice my profession as a lawyer. The majority of my cases have been those of villagers whose rights are violated. Even though now I myself am a political prisoner, I still do my duty as a lawyer, I still practice the profession I adore. Thank you to the Courts of Justice and the Military Courts that continue to see the importance of allowing me to perform my noble duty.

It’s late. My fellow prisoners are starting to fall asleep. Tonight I will close my eyes and go to sleep content. I will dream of the atmosphere of the constant journey that makes up this life of being a lawyer.

Arnon Nampha

Zone 2

May be an illustration of ticket stub and text

Original letter reprinted from and with permission of อานนท์ นำภา Facebook page.