The military has taken a senior activist who campaigned against the lèse majesté law into a military base.
Kimpiew Sae-Tang told Prachatai that at 6 am on 2 July 2017 about 10 soldiers arrested Charoenchai Sae-Tang, his 60-year-old brother, from his house in Daokanong District of Bangkok, adding that his brother was taken to the 11th Military Circle in Bangkok.
He reported that the soldiers did not present any warrant, but cited absolute power under Section 44 of the Interim Constitution for the arrested. They also confiscated the mobile phones the two brothers and Charoenchai’s laptop.
Charoenchai used to work as an assistant to Tourist Police and for Pearl Sydenstricker Buck Foundation before he became a human rights and political activist.
He has been active in campaigning for the abolition of Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law.
Kimpiew told Prachatai that his family will visit Charoenchai at the 11th Military Circle today.
Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code imposes jail terms of three to 15 years for each count of defaming, insulting, or threatening the King, the Queen, the Heir to the throne, or the Regent.
At least 109 people have been arrested under Article 112 since the 2014 coup d’état.
Charoenchai Sae-Tang