Royal arsonist goes on hunger strike

The royal arsonist convicted of setting fire to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida has gone on a hunger strike while awaiting appeal.

Food delivery rider Sitthichok Sethasavet was found guilty of defaming the royal family, arson, destruction of property, and violation of the Emergency Decree. He was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison. Sitthichok was found to have set fire to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida at a royal ceremonial arch in Bangkok during a protest on July 18, 2021.

Sitthichok claimed he was passing through the protest on Ratchadamnoen Nok on his way to deliver an order when he saw the fire at the royal arch. Since he has experience volunteering in an emergency rescue unit, he tried to put out the fire using a bottle of water mixed with purple grape-flavoured soda that he carried on his motorcycle to drink while working…