File picture shows Thailand’s lese-majeste suspect Suriyan Sujaritpalawong (centre) being escorted by police officer as he arrives at military court in Bangkok, October 21, 2015. — Reuters pic
ภาพประกอบข่าวจาก Malay Mail
FILE PHOTO: Former communist and political prisoner Surachai Danwattananusorn gestures during an interview at his home in Bangkok, Thailand August 25, 2010. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subpransom/Files
ภาพประกอบข่าวจาก Reuters
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Three Thai activists facing charges of insulting the monarchy have disappeared after reportedly being arrested in Vietnam, rights groups said on Friday, months after two exiled critics of the military and monarchy turned up dead.
Thailand’s deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, denied the three activists were in Thai custody, as has been reported by the Thai Alliance for Human Rights.
Chucheep Chiwasut, who broadcasts political commentary to Thailand from exile, and fellow activists Siam Theerawut and Kritsana Thapthai were reportedly turned over to Thai authorities by Vietnam on May 8, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
“Vietnam’s alleged secret forced return to Thailand of three prominent activists should set off alarm bells in the international community,” Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams said.
London-based Amnesty International said Chucheep had long faced charges of lese majeste, or insulting the monarchy.
Siam and Kritsana were also under police investigation for lese majeste, the rights group said.
Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code says anyone who insults the king, queen, heir or regent faces punishment of up to 15 years in prison.
Human rights groups have accused Thailand’s ruling military government of applying the lese majeste law more widely since a 2014 coup as a way to silence critics.
U.N. human rights officials in March wrote to the Thai foreign ministry to express “most serious concern” about disappearances of several prominent exiled critics of the regime.
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“ประเทศนี้ไม่มีความเมตตา” เสียงจากภรรยา ‘สุรชัย’ ปราณี ด่านวัฒนานุสรณ์
