FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Watana denies posting false FB statement

Watana denies posting false FB statement

KEY Pheu Thai Party politician Watana Muangsook yesterday denied charges in court connected with his Facebook criticism of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan.

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday heard the case filed by prosecutors against Watana, 58, for allegedly posting false information online that caused damage to others in violation of Article 14 of the Computer Crimes Act.
The suit stated that on March 1, Watana accused Prayut and Prawit of not returning power to the people on his Facebook page.
The suit said the statement was false because the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had announced the country’s roadmap to democracy and a public referendum for the charter draft. The suit also alleged the statement had caused damage to Prayut and Prawit.
The court yesterday granted Watana a temporary release but banned him from leaving the country without court permission.
The court is scheduled to examine evidence in the case on June 13.
Watana denied former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had influenced his Facebook post.
Meanwhile, the committee charged with determining the authority of different courts ruled that a case against key Pheu Thai Party leader Chaturon Chaisang for allegedly violating NCPO orders would be tried in civilian court.
But the committee said the case against him for allegedly violating Article 116 of the Criminal Code and another case for allegedly violating the Computer Crimes Act would be tried by a military court.
Chaturon appeared at Bangkok Military Court to hear the decision on his petition to have his cases heard by a civilian court and not military authorities because his actions took place before the NCPO issued the orders.
He said NCPO orders No 37 and 38 might be violations of Article 4 of the interim charter 2014.
Prosecutors have also accused Chaturon of failing to report to the NCPO.
The Military court asked Chaturon if he was ready to testify in the two cases but he postponed his testimony until June 1.
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