THURSDAY, April 25, 2024
nationthailand

Defiant activist burns pics of PM and Army chief after 3rd police summons

Defiant activist burns pics of PM and Army chief after 3rd police summons

A prominent pro-democracy activist burned images of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan and Army chief Apirat Kongsompong as he visited a police station this morning to acknowledge charges.

Panupong Chadnok, aka Mike Rayong, walked into Bangkok’s Nang Loeng station with Noraset Nanongtoom from the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, to answer charges connected with a rally held in front of the Royal Thai Army Headquarters on August 20.
Police accuse him of violating the emergency decree and traffic law, as well as illegal use of sound equipment.
Panupong was also arrested twice last month and charged with sedition for a speech he gave at a Thammasat University rally on August 10.
Amnesty International said his arrest for a second time “explicitly reveals the Thai authority’s attempts to suppress the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly”.
Panupong today said he would continue his political activities despite his latest police summons, since it was his right.
The student-led protesters are demanding an end to intimidation of government critics, along with a Constitution rewrite and dissolution of Parliament.
Panupong explained that he had burned the images in front of the station to curse the PM, his deputy and the Army chief.

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