Prachatai sued over 'false chat'
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NARUEPON Kaewted, a director at the 11 Military Circle, yesterday filed defamation and Computer Crimes Act charges against news website Prachatai for allegedly posting false information about the detention of suspect Thanakorn Siripaiboon.
Naruepon and Boonyarak Boonyathikarn, head of the detention centre, told police that Prachatai on Thursday published a so-called interview with Boonyarak, in which he allegedly admitted to Thanakorn being held at the centre for a night before being moved to an unknown location.
Boonyarak said he had only told some members of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre that the suspect had not been detained at the centre and that he had no idea of his whereabouts. He said an arrest warrant was required to detain anybody, and that he always followed rules and regulations.
He filed a defamation lawsuit and violation of Computer Act charges against Prachatai.Prachatai executive director Chiranuch Premchaiporn said police had not contacted it so far, while the website posted an apology for posting a false report, saying this was done after a member of the lawyers’ centre was interviewed.
The centre’s lawyer Pawinee Chumsri told Prachatai that the person who informed her of Thanakorn’s whereabouts might have been a plainclothes soldier, the statement said.
Thanakorn, 27, was detained on Tuesday for posting an infographic showing government and military figures involved in the Rajabhakti Park scandal. . His whereabouts are unknown.
In a related development, national police chief General Chakthip Chaijinda said Thanakorn had to be prosecuted because his electronic devices carried messages within the scope of lese majeste. Police are now collecting evidence.
He added that people should be more careful when sharing information that might be deemed as defaming the monarchy.
