13-2-2024 (BANGKOK) Monarchy-reform activists Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Natthanon “Frank” Chaimahabud were arrested by police on Tuesday on charges of sedition and related offences. The arrests came after the activists allegedly attempted to interrupt a royal motorcade on Feb 4.
The duo was taken to the Din Daeng police station for questioning on Tuesday evening. Another activist, Nophasin “Sai Nam” Trirayapiwat, was also arrested on charges related to an incident in March last year involving the spray-painting of an anarchist symbol outside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaew. He was being questioned separately at the Phra Ratchawang police station.
The Criminal Court had earlier approved warrants for members of the Thalu Wang protest group. Din Daeng police sought to arrest Ms Tantawan and Mr Natthanon after they failed twice to report and acknowledge their charges. Instead, they sent a representative from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) to submit documents requesting a postponement of their meeting with investigators until Feb 20, citing conflicting class schedules. However, the postponement request was rejected by police investigators.
Ms Tantawan faces charges of inciting unrest or sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, along with charges under the Computer Crime Act. Mr Natthanon faces multiple charges, including violating Section 116, the Computer Crime Act, honking a car horn in violation of the Traffic Act, and insulting officers.
As a police vehicle took the pair to the police station, Ms Tantawan flashed a three-finger salute and urged reporters to closely monitor the situation. A crowd of demonstrators gathered outside the station and shouted at police, who had erected barriers to enhance security. Outsiders were barred from entering the station.
According to Natthaphon Khumwongsakul of TLHR, both Ms Tantawan and Mr Natthanon denied all charges. Ms Tantawan was later transferred from Din Daeng to the Chalong Krung Police Station in Min Buri district for further questioning.
The arrests come after an incident on Feb 4 when Mr Natthanon honked his horn repeatedly and tried to pass a police car during the royal motorcade of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Ms Tantawan argued with an officer after their car was stopped.
Ms Tantawan, 22, is also facing royal insult charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code in connection with public polls she conducted in 2022 about royal motorcades. She has been free on bail for most of that time.
In a Facebook post on Monday, she apologized for the Feb 4 incident and denied trying to harass or block the royal convoy.
Ms Tantawan has been involved in activism, staging a 52-day hunger strike early last year to demand the release of 16 people detained pending trial on charges related to anti-government protests. Last May, she and eight others were charged with trespassing, destroying public property, and obstructing officers at Samran Rat police station. Their case is still before the courts.
