Sedition complaint warranted: Isoc

Pattani charter talk ‘a security threat’

The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) has denied it is targeting opposition parties by making a sedition complaint following a public forum they held in the far South to discuss constitutional change.

Isoc spokesman Maj Gen Thanathip Sawangsaeng said yesterday that no one ordered that legal action be taken. He insisted Isoc was not abusing its power or persecuting opposition parties.

The sedition complaint by Isoc’s Region 4 forward command was filed with police in Pattani province on Thursday by its legal officer, Maj Gen Burin Thongpraphai.

The complaint named 12 people who gave views on the constitution during the opposition’s charter change discussion outside the provincial hall on Sept 28.

The 12 include Sompong Amornwiwat, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Future Forward Party leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Prachachat Party leader Wan Muhammad Nor Matha.

Another of the accused is Chalita Banthuwong, a lecturer at Kasetsart University’s social sciences faculty who took part in the discussion and referred to the possibility of amending Section 1 of the constitution, which requires that Thailand remain an indivisible kingdom.

Isoc said that the contents of the discussion threatened national security and solutions to problems in the southernmost provinces.

On Sunday, the opposition hit back by lodging a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division against Maj Gen Burin and 4th Army Region commander Lt Gen Pornsak Poonsawat.

The opposition figures named in Isoc’s complaint said they were being singled out for persecution and that they the forum was an expression of free speech protected by the law.

Lt Gen Pornsak was included in opposition complaint because Maj Gen Burin was acting on his orders.

The opposition want the two generals charged with filing false charges and defamation.

Maj Gen Thanathip said yesterday the Isoc’s legal division was obliged to seek the prosecution of the 12 people because it would have faced dereliction of duty accusations if it did not.

“Isoc does not see these people as enemies, but it does abide by the law,” Maj Gen Thanathip said.

“Words spoken at the constitution amendment forum in Pattani caused concerns.”