Thailand Politics

Thailand’s Military Denies Torturing Under Martial Law

An anti-coup protester is taken away from the site of a gathering by Thai soldiers in Bangkok

BANGKOK – Thailand’s government is denying that anyone detained since martial law was declared in the kingdom has been tortured. But two rights groups say they have collected evidence that indicates there have been a number of serious incidents.

In a written response to the international human rights group Amnesty International, Thailand’s junta says its internal investigation “has found no evidence of alleged torture” during the first 100 days of martial law, as alleged.

Amnesty, along with a domestic organization, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), this week separately accused the military of abusing some of those who have been held under martial law.

Rupert Abbott is the lead writer of the Amnesty report, which speaks of “emerging allegations of torture” made by some of those arbitrarily detained by the junta.

Anti-coup protesters gesture three-finger signs next to a banner with a drawing of the army chief and coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha as reporters take pictures outside a shopping mall in Bangkok June 1, 2014. reuters/Damir Sagolj

“Those detained under martial law have referred to beatings, mock executions, attempted asphyxiation. In this report we’ve withheld the names of those who’ve spoken for their own safety. But certainly we can say that there is evidence emerging of torture and ill treatment under the new military government. But it is important to say that there were concerns around torture before the coup,” said Abbott.

The domestic lawyers’ group accuses the military of torturing at least 14 people accused of weapons charges since the May 22 coup. It has submitted a request to the interior ministry’s ombudsman, known as the Damrongtham Center, to investigate, alleging a “grave breach to the principles of human rights.”

Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Sek Wannamethee said all such allegations are taken seriously by government agencies, which refer them to the military junta, which is known officially as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

“We bring these allegations to the attention of the NCPO and they will continue to conduct internal inquiries,” said Sek.

Amnesty International compiled its report after visiting Thailand in July. Besides interviews with some of those who have been detained, the delegation also met with the deputy chiefs of staff of the Royal Thai Army and Air Force and police officials.

Foreign ministry spokesman Sek said the Amnesty report does not put things in Thailand into context. For example, he explained, there is no reference of the level of violence that compelled the soldiers to step in, as they have done numerous times previously to oust a civilian government.

“As Thailand is going through a period of reform and justice then this reflects the need for the martial law to remain in place,” said Sek.

Abbott, the deputy director of Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific program, said that should not be an excuse for violations of human rights.

“We understand that the situation before the takeover was not good. There were, of course, incidents of violence and the government’s view is that it needed to take measures to stop that. What we’re saying is what’s been done goes beyond restrictions allowed under international law,” said Abbott.

Amnesty International is calling on the junta leaders “to drop the veil of secrecy” over the detentions and reveal who is being held. It also asserts that military courts should have no jurisdiction to try civilians.

The Thai lawyers’ group had intended to release on September 2 its separate report about alleged human rights violations, but it was pressured by the junta to cancel an event at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand where the document was to be distributed to reporters and a panel had convened to discuss the accusations.

As the event was about to begin, police handed panelists a letter from the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division of the King’s Guard. It asked that the event be canceled and any complaints about justice be referred to the interior ministry’s inspection and grievances bureau.

Thailand’s coup has meant a drastic tightening of speech controls. The coup leader, army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, issued orders in the name of the NCPO restricting political gatherings of more than five people and summoning of hundreds of people for questioning under military detention. The media also remain under restrictions about what they can report.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch is calling for the Thai government to immediately disclose the whereabouts of an opposition supporter it says was arrested by soldiers at a teachers’ training center in Bangkok last Friday.

The international organization says the family of 47-year-old Kittisak Soomsri received an anonymous phone call telling them he had been taken into custody under martial law but that he would be released after seven days if they did not publicize the detention.

Kittisak, a supporter of the “Red Shirts” political faction, which backed the previous civilian government, had previously been accused of involvement in violent political confrontations.

General Prayuth declared martial law on May 20, following a period of political instability and sometimes violent street protests. Two days later, he removed the civilian government. The general is now prime minister, put into that post by a handpicked legislature.

General Prayuth, set to retire from the military next month, says his goal is to put Thailand back on the path to democracy, but only after a period of sweeping political reform.

Both supporters and opponents of the coup concur that the junta views as a critical element of reform dismantling the influence of billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra. He was removed as prime minister in the previous coup in 2006. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was forced out as prime minister shortly before this year’s coup.

Thaksin Shinawatra is in self-imposed exile and faces imprisonment for a corruption conviction should he return home.

By-Steve Herman

Thailand Politics

Thai Prime Minister’s Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates

(CTN News) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin continues to make local and international visits to try to solve problems and promote Thailand, but he has failed to impress most voters, according to a Nida poll. The poll also revealed the declining popularity of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the rise of the Move Forward Party.

According to a poll released on Sunday, only 12.85% of people supported the prime minister, down from 17.75% in the previous survey. The daughter of convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin, currently on parole, saw her popularity drop from 6% to 4.85%.

The National Institute of Development Administration conducts a quarterly survey of the public’s preferred political leaders. The last survey was released at the end of March.

According to the survey, supporters of the prime minister described Mr Srettha as a resolute decision-maker determined to address their problems. Ms Paetongtarn was complimented for her vision, leadership, knowledge, and grasp of the country’s difficulties.

This weekend, the prime minister will be in the northeast region listening to citizens’ concerns. The journey occurred only a few days after he had visited northern provinces earlier in the week.

Despite criticism, he has reduced his abroad trips, citing the need to showcase Thailand to investors and traders.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of the Move Forward Party, remained the top candidate for prime minister with 45.50% of the vote, up slightly from 42.75% in the previous quarter’s poll.

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was the huge winner. The leader of the United Thai National Party saw his popularity nearly quadruple from 3.55% to 6.85%.

The sampled voters stated they appreciated Mr Pita’s political beliefs and thought he had broad knowledge. They praised Mr Pirapan’s credibility, claiming he was clean and honest.

Two other probable prime minister candidates were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party and Anutin Chanvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai. However, they were less popular than others.

About 20% of voters still did not believe any candidate was qualified to lead the country, which is the same percentage as in the last survey.

Move Forward Party was the most popular party with 49.20%, up slightly from three months ago, while Pheu Thai fell around five percentage points to 16.85% from 22.10%.

The poll, issued on Sunday, surveyed 2,000 ineligible voters between June 14 and June 18.

Thailand Politics

Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation

(CTN News) – Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP, says he would appeal his one-year suspended jail sentence for defaming a former senior defense ministry official concerning the state’s procurement of bogus bomb detectors.

The Criminal Court also fined Mr Jirat 100,000 baht for falsely accusing ACM Tharet Punsri, a former Air Force chief-of-staff who later became the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, of being the chairman and shareholder of a company that supplied the military with the infamous GT200 bomb detectors.

The Chachoengsao MP claimed a July 20, 2022, no-confidence vote against cabinet ministers in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. ACM Tharet was not a cabinet member.

Jirat Thongsuwan also identified ACM Tharet as a key figure in the 2006 coup headed by then-army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.

ACM Tharet told the court that Jirat Thongsuwan’s charges were false and harmed his reputation. He denied involvement with the bomb detection company and said he was not the company’s senior chairman or shareholder.

In addition to the suspended jail term and fine, the court ordered Jirat Thongsuwan to pay $ 500,000 baht in damages to ACM Tharet and publish an apology in three newspapers for five days.

Jirat Thongsuwan later announced on his X account that he had challenged the verdict with the hashtag “An injustice is infuriating”.

The MP has also been accused of dodging required military conscription. He admitted to the accusation on May 8.

A British business promoted the GT200 as a “remote substance detector” and sold it in several countries. Between 2004 and 2009, fourteen Thai government organizations, most of which were military, were projected to spend 1.4 billion baht on the units.

Concerns about the GT200 and related gadgets arose after the National Science and Technology Development Agency discovered they lacked electronic components.

The devices were later revealed to be “divining rods”.

Thailand Politics

Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom

(CTN News) – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has launched a defamation action against Warong Dechgitvigrom, the head of the Thai Pakdee Party, accusing him of paying a bribe to be released on bail in a lese majeste case.

Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a lawsuit against Warong, seeking 100 million baht in damages.

Warong, a long-time Thaksin Shinawatra critic, gave a public statement and posted on social media, saying that 2 billion baht was paid to judicial officials in exchange for release on bail in the lese majeste case.

Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Release on 500,000 Baht Bond

Thaksin was granted release on a 500,000 baht bond last week and told not to leave the country without court authorization after pleading innocent to charges of defaming King Rama IX in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.

Winyat stated that, while Warong did not identify Thaksin Shinawatra by name in his speech or post, he did include a hashtag with Thaksin’s name as well as the date Thaksin must appear in court, allowing readers to connect Thaksin to the allegations.

Winyat further stated that he was investigating the fact that Warong mentioned the specific aircraft and automobiles utilized by Thaksin Shinawatra to violate the Personal Data Protection Act.

“I have requested Mr Warong to provide proof as to where he received the data. “If it turns out that it came from state officials, there will be legal consequences,” he warned.

The Criminal Court has scheduled the case’s preliminary hearing for September 30.