4 held over charter papers:
CDC examines content for ‘appropriateness’
RATCHABURI: Ban Pong police yesterday detained four people including New Democracy Movement (NDM) leader Pakorn Areekul for questioning after police found they have “inappropriate” documents regarding the Aug 7 referendum on the draft charter.
Police said Mr Pakorn, Anucha Rungmorakot, Anun Loket and Taweesak Kerdpoka, a reporter for the Pracha Thai newspaper, were detained yesterday morning for questioning at Ban Pong station.
Investigators who had inspected Mr Pakorn’s pickup truck parked in front of Ban Pong station found a pile of leaflets containing criticism of the government, including stickers that said “Vote No”, regarding the referendum on the draft charter.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Pakorn, together with Mr Anucha, Mr Anun and Mr Taweesak travelled to Ban Pong district in Ratchaburi province to support a group of 18 people including Boriboon Kiengwarangkoon, a member of the redshirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).
The group of 18 yesterday reported to the Ban Pong station to hear charges of forming illegal political gatherings after authorities issued summons for them.
Public gatherings of more than five people have been banned following the National Council for Peace and Order’s (NCPO) directives under order 3/2015.
On June 19, Athitaya Danmatam accused Mr Boriboon and his group of forming a gathering for political purposes.
Mr Boriboon and the others reportedly assembled at a house near Navakarn Mansion in Ban Pong municipality and erected a signboard that read, “UDD referendum monitoring centre” in front of the house without permission from the NCPO. The regime has cracked down on graft monitoring centres set up by the UDD.
A crowd of people including NDM members showed up at Ban Pong station, handing flowers to Mr Boriboon as a gesture of support.
Speaking after being questioned by investigators, Mr Boriboon insisted the group had gathered at the house for social activities that are not related to politics.
All 18 people denied the charges of forming a political gathering, police said.
They were released yesterday afternoon after hearing the charges.
Election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn was reluctant to clarify whether having documents and material regarding the referendum on the draft charter is illegal.
He said the Constitution Drafting Commission is examining whether the content of the documents found in Mr Pakorn’s possession is “inappropriate”.
Meanwhile, quoting the commissioner of the provincial police who oversees electoral offences, police said Mr Pakorn’s conduct falls within the perimeters of preparing “inappropriate documents and materials” to be distributed to others.
Mr Pakorn, Mr Anucha, Mr Anun and Mr Taweesak were in police custody pending plans to detain them at a court in Ratchaburi province today, according to police.
They have been charged with violating the Referendum Act 2016.
Meanwhile, one of Pheu Thai’s key figures, Wattana Muangsuk, yesterday posted a message on his Facebook wall, reading: “It is a pity to see young people accused of starting a ‘Vote No’ campaign on the Aug 7 referendum on the draft charter.”
Mr Wattana has been invited for “attitude adjustment” sessions with the military after his criticism of the regime, where he was detained for a few days.