Pheu Thai calls on junta to free ex-MP held for ‘uncreative’ remarks
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Pheu Thai Party Sunday called for the quick release of its former MP Worachai Hema, who was summoned by military officers on Saturday evening, following his comments allegedly critical of the junta leader.
On Thursday, Worachai called for Prime Minister and National Council for Peace and Order leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha to take responsibility by resigning from the premier’s post should the charter draft be voted down in an upcoming referendum.
Prayut said during his weekly talk show on Friday that a person telling him to resign “should be careful of himself” and could be prosecuted under the law.
NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said the ex-MP’s comments were “uncreative” and “sarcastic” and could lead to public misunderstanding. They were also controversial about the junta’s peacekeeping efforts, Winthai said.
Pheu Thai however replied that Worachai’s comments were a democratic approach and had not caused any public stirrings so far.
The military’s forced detention also severely violated principles according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the party said, and the action would undeniably affect images of the junta government and the Kingdom.
Worachai should instead be placed under legitimate process if truly found to have violated the law. It said the government and the NCPO must explain how Worachai’s actions were against the law.
The junta government was also asked to respect people’s freedom of expression, following military calls to over 1,500 citizens for “attitude adjustment” and closure of more than 200 websites and several broadcasting stations since the 2014 coup, the statement said.
According to Pheu Thai, Worachai was taken from his residence in Samut Prakan by military officials led by Colonel Arthit Deeprasert, chief of staff of the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment Queen’s Guard, on Saturday evening, to an unknown destination
