22-7-2023 (BANGKOK) Police in Thailand have announced their intention to closely monitor political gatherings on July 27, which coincides with the day of the third round of prime ministerial voting. The National police chief, Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, stated on Friday that safety measures, in accordance with the Public Assembly Act, will be applied to any protesters assembling in front of parliament on that day, similar to those applied during the protests on July 19.
Emphasizing the right to political protest as a fundamental legal right, Pol Gen Damrongsak stressed that organizers of such gatherings must inform the police in advance. This allows the authorities to prepare adequately and ensure that the demonstrations remain peaceful and free from any attempts by a so-called “third hand” to incite violence.
The police chief also instructed law enforcement agencies across the nation to implement the same measures. He further disclosed that legal action would be taken against a 63-year-old man who recently threw a bag of fermented fish sauce at the office of the Election Commission (EC) located in the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road. The man’s protest was in response to the EC’s decision to refer the iTV shareholding case involving Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to the Constitutional Court.
In light of recent security concerns, Pol Gen Damrongsak revealed that some Senate and EC members have reported receiving threats from netizens. Consequently, he ordered a thorough investigation into those who have made threats against senators and EC members online.
Meanwhile, on another front, Arnon Klinkaew, chairman of the Thai People Protecting the Monarchy group, and Nopadol Prompasit, secretary-general of the Legal Help Centre for Cyberbullying Victims, filed a case against a netizen who allegedly posted an audio clip on TikTok claiming to be an “important [royal] figure.”
The complainants submitted what they claimed to be evidence to Pol Maj Gen Athip Pongsiwapai, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), urging an investigation into possible violations of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly known as the lese majeste law.
According to Mr. Arnon, the audio clip was entirely counterfeit, although it bore at least 90% similarity to the voice of a royal figure. He emphasized that the lese majeste law was designed solely for the protection of the monarchy and not intended for cases of political defamation.
