Social order clamps ‘stifle’ unity

The Pheu Thai Party says the government’s strict enforcement of harsh laws restricting public gatherings and freedom of expression are hindering efforts towards national reconciliation.

The party said some people in authority seemed to have become “addicted” to wielding power over others.

Pheu Thai criticised the military-engineered government for summoning and charging five people who participated in an international conference on Thai studies in Chiang Mai on July 18.

They included the event organiser, Chiang Mai University scholar Chayan Vaddhanaphuti.

The summonses were issued on Aug 11 and stemmed from participants raising a placard saying “Academic forum, not military camp” after soldiers were seen observing the conference and taking photos, according to Mr Chayan, director of the university’s Regional Centre for Social Science and Sustainable Development.

Mr Chayan and the four other attendees summoned — Pakawadee Veerapatpong, Chaipong Samnieng, Nontawat Machai and Thiramon Bua-ngam — reported to Chang Phuak police station on Aug 21 and denied a charge of defying the junta’s order against organising a public assembly for political purposes.

They are among many critics who have been summoned by authorities who cite the need to maintain order in society.

The Pheu Thai Party said the government may have become “addicted” to power in continuing to exercise laws such as Section 116 of the Criminal Code, which is aimed at stamping out sedition or incitement to commit wrong.

The party said it was worried some people in authority may be enforcing these strict laws purely out of hostility to political opponents.

“This is not good to the [ongoing] process of building national reconciliation,” it said. Social unity was most needed at a time when society was deeply divided.