Jirapan was charged for allegedly violating Article 61 of the Act, which bans the dissemination of draft charter content through print, broadcast or digital media in a manner that deviates from the truth or provides information deemed violent, aggressive, vulgar, provocative or threatening or aims to influence voters. The violators of the Act can face up to 10 years in jail and a Bt200,000 fine.

Apart from Jirapan, 59, who is based in Khon Kaen, 10 others are also facing the same charges.

During initial investigation, Jirapan claimed that she did not know such a law had been implemented. Police said Jirapan has voiced her repentance and is seeking release on bail.

Jirapan is married to a physician who operates a clinic in Khon Kaen’s Ban Pai district. She set up the Rathawat Tanmanee Fund in 1996 in order to help autistic children lead normal lives. Her son is also affected by autism.

The Facebook page of her organisation initially had 4,000 followers, but later when she saw its popularity waning, she decided to opt for new a way to attract attention – discussing politics.

On Monday, she posted an image of human-rights activist Gothom Arya with a message saying that the country is not a five-year experiment and that the draft charter might lead to a crisis. Jirapan’s post clearly disapproved of the draft’s Article 178 and her message allegedly used impolite language. It was also seen as encouraging people to vote “no” in the referendum.

Many Facebook users shared her post. With the office of her foundation located in Khon Kaen’s Muang district, Jirapan often took her son horseriding at the 23rd Military Circle and became quite familiar with several soldiers at the Sri Patcharin Camp.

She is also known to have close ties with an anti-coup group based in Khon Kaen, especially activist Aunty Wad Mai Khon.

She has also pushed for the establishment of an Autistic Centre in Khon Kaen University after many autistic children were stopped from enrolling in school. Her efforts also led to the setting up of the Northeast region’s first Autistic Research Centre at Khon Kaen University’s Demonstration School in 2002.

People who know her say Jirapan is ready to fight for people’s rights and society, while parents of autistic children still admire her for fighting for kids with autism even though her attention has turned to politics.