Jaran Ditapichai (Thai: จรัล ดิษฐาอภิชัย; RTGS: Charan Dittha-a-phichai) is a Thai political scientist, educator, writer, political activist,[1] and advocate of human rights.
He was a student leader during the 6 October 1976 massacre of student protesters and thereafter fled to join the Communist Party of Thailand, adopting the nom de guerre "สหายแผ้ว" (Comrade "Paew" – or Comrade Clarity).
He was a member of the Thai National Human Rights Commission,[2] but was expelled on 26 September 2007 by the National Legislative Assembly, which had been installed by the military junta that had taken power in the 2006 coup.
[3] Jaran fled to France after the 2014 military coup.
The government of France granted Jaran and other lèse majesté suspects a refugee status in 2015.