Axe sedition rap, urges opposition

The opposition has called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to withdraw a sedition complaint the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) filed against 12 people, including some opposition party leaders, following their recent public discussion on changes to the constitution in the far South.

Maj Gen Burin Thongpraphai, legal officer for Isoc’s Region 4 forward command, said yesterday that he had filed a complaint at a police station in the southern province of Pattani on Thursday against 12 people.

They accused include Sompong Amornwiwat, leader of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, and head of the Future Forward Party, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

The opposition parties held the public discussion in front of the Pattani provincial hall on Sept 28.

The forward command alleges that the discussion affected national security and solutions to problems in the southernmost provinces.

Those accused also include Chalita Banthuwong, a lecturer at Kasetsart University’s social sciences faculty, after she proposed an amendment to Section 1 of the constitution at the discussion.

Section 1 stipulates that Thailand is one and indivisible kingdom.

The others are Prachachat Party leader Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, his deputy Muk Sulaiman, Puea Chat Party leader Songkhram Kitlertpairote, Thai People Power Party leader Nikhom Boonwiset, Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabut, former secretary-general of the National Security Council, Sompong Sakawee, Rakchart Suwan, Asama Mangkonchai, and Sirote Klampaibul.

The complaint cited Section 116 of the Criminal Code, which bans sedition and stipulates a jail term of up to seven years for a violation.

Adisorn Piengkes, the opposition spokesman, said yesterday that Mr Sompong had called the complaint “delusional”.

Opposition speakers did not challenge Section 1 of the constitution during the discussions and those in attendance spoke only in support of due rights and freedoms, he said.

In June, Isoc announced it would take charge of security when the new cabinet was sworn in on July 16.

FFP secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul said that several similar complaints were filed during the past five years under the NCPO’s rule but ended up being dismissed by prosecutors.

“Using Section 116 to sue people will discourage free speech,” Mr Piyabutr said, adding that as chairman of the House committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights, he will summon Maj Gen Burin to explain to the committee the real purpose of the sedition complaint.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said yesterday that even though the proposed amendment to Section 1 of the constitution was floated only by an academic at the forum, other panellists should have opposed it.