12 pro-democracy protest leaders ‘get police summons’
Police have issued summons to 12 pro-democracy protest leaders over charges relating to Section 112, according to a news source at the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Tuesday.
Section 112 of the Criminal Code states that “whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, will be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years”.
Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak reportedly faces the most charges of eight. Six were filed by police stations in Khon Kaen, Ayutthaya, Ubon Ratchathani, Roi Et, Nonthaburi and Bangkok’s Chana Songkram district, and two charges will be filed by the Technology Crime Suppression Division.
Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul is facing six charges, while Panupong “Mike” Jadnok and Arnon Nampa face four charges.
Patsaravalee “Mind” Tanakitvibulpon faces three charges while Chanin Wongsri is seeing two charges.
Meanwhile, Juthathip Sirikhan, Piyarat Jongthep, Thatthep Ruangprapaikijseree, Atthaphol Buaphat, Chukiat Saengwong and Sombat Thongyoi face one charge each.
The source also said investigation officers had requested arrest warrants from the court but were denied these due to the suspects being public figures with permanent residences, so they opted to issue summons instead.
“The police are working on summoning an additional 3-5 protest leaders under Section 112 charges,” the source added.