Four facing action over online posts

Four people have been summoned for investigation over allegations they posted online political comments that had no basis in fact and could have led to “public panic and confusion”.

Pol Maj-General Pisit Paoin, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, said yesterday the division on Sunday checked Facebook websites and allegedly found four suspects posting false statements about a looming coup. Their intention, the police alleged, was to cause public panic and the hoarding of food and water.

To prevent possible fallout from dissemination of the Facebook posts, the division has issued summonses for four suspects for interrogation on charges related to computer crimes as stipulated in Article 14 of the Computer Act.

Their Facebook names include Sermsuk Kasitpradit, who is known under his real name and the nickname of Pepsi. He now works as Thai PBS’s political and security editor. The other Facebook names were Warunee Khamduangsri, Yo Onsine and Pu Chonburi Nak Su Tuleedin. 

Pisit said disseminating false information that could affect the country’s security is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of Bt100,000. People who click “like” or “share” could also face the same charge.

In his Facebook post, Sermsuk linked fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to a possible coup attempt.

Sermsuk said he had learnt of the summons from the police press conference but had not been contacted by officials. He would give information to police if summoned. However, he was confident he would be able to clarify his Facebook message.

“I guess the reader [who accused me of being provocative] must have read only the first part of it. It doesn’t make sense to think I provoked. I also posted a contradiction to the idea, according to the information I had,” he said.

Sermsuk declined to say whether police were infringing on his right to freedom of information, saying he would see first what they would do next.

 

Allegations ‘intimidating’

Thai Broadcast Journalists Association president Wisuth Komwatcharapong said the police allegations were vague and could be deemed as “[creating] an atmosphere of intimidation.” 

“The police allegations were vague and not healthy for the atmosphere of reconciliation,” he said, adding that the police had acted in a threatening and pre-emptive manner. “If the posts are a false statement and threatening to the country’s law and order, there are clear laws [applying to] them. The police can take legal steps,” he said.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap said the police’s conduct was not a case of media intimidation, as the people summonsed were just suspects and had the right to explain themselves to police. “It does not mean that members of the media or people with a good occupation won’t [sometimes] do wrong. If investigators find someone’s actions constitute what can be seen as against the law, he or she may be summonsed,” he said. 

Media academic Uajit Virojtrairatt said police must apply a consistent standard for every case involving social media.

“If police opt to summon and make allegations against Sermsuk like this, they must use this as standard conduct for every issue involving social media, not only issues sensitive to the government. When the government imposes the Internal Security Act, which is sensitive for the government and politicians, police seem to be particularly sensitive,” she said.