Jatupat family gave him the award on Monday.

The activist could not attend the ceremony last week in South Korea after a court declined his bail requests on nine occasions.

His family accepted the award on his behalf and we were able to present it to him as he was scheduled to stand a trial in a military court in Khon Kaen after being charged with protesting against the ruling junta.

The lese majeste suspect appeared to be in good spirits and smile radiantly when reunited with his family.

He has been detained for nearly half a year after sharing a BBC article deemed insulting to the monarchy last December.

Known for his activism against human rights violations and the coup, Jatupat is the youngest person to receive the Gwangju Prize, which came with US$50,000 (Bt1.7 million).

He is the second Thai to receive the award, after human rights commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit.