Sedition charges against former Pheu Thai official ‘exaggerated’
Former deputy Pheu Thai spokesperson Sunisa Divakorndamrong on Wednesday acknowledged sedition charges filed against her by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) following her criticism on Facebook of NCPO leader, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Sunisa denied the charges, saying her posts were meant to criticise the government and its spending, but she had the constitutional right to scrutinise the government’s performance.
She suggested the Prayut government should listen to her advice to improve its performance and resolve problems.
She added that the motive behind the charges was political because she was a former deputy Pheu Thai spokesperson and had always criticised the government.
Her criticism of Prayut on Facebook has included comments about his handling of the recent suspicious death of a military cadet and how he treated rock star-turned-campaigner Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai compared with residents in the South who questioned the junta government’s policies.
Sunisa’s lawyer Narinpong Jinapak said the sedition charge against her was exaggerated.
He also warned police to not be used as a political tool by the government to accuse people, adding that his client would file a countersuit against police over their actions.
Narinpong and foreign diplomatic observers joined Sunisa as she arrived at the Police Technology Crime Suppression Division to hear the charges on Wednesday.