At 1 p.m., one dozen academics in Chiang Mai province reported themselves to the 7th Infantry Regiment in Chiang Mai after they were “invited” by the army and police for “talks.” They were released around 4.30 p.m.
The army told them to stop all political activities for the sake of the nation’s “reconciliation.”
The academics summoned include Prof. Dr. Anan Kanchanapan, an anthropologist from the Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Chaiyan Rachakul, Dean of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University and formerly a history lecturer at Chiang Mai University, Dr. Pinkaew Laungaramsri, an anthropology lecturer, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somchai Preedasilpakul, a law lecturer from Chiang Mai University.
Chiang Mai-based writers/translators, such as Pakawadee Veerapatpong and Pipob Udomittupong, were also summoned.
Of those summoned, only Kengkij Kitirianglarp, a political science lecturer from Chiang Mai University, was officially summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order on Sunday. He is a member of left-leaning activist group Prakaifire. Kengkij is to report himself on Tuesday at the Thai Army Club in Theves, Bangkok.
Some of the academics summoned have done research on the red shirts as a political movement, and they have also been critical of the lese majeste law.
Previously, some of these academics received visits from soldiers who invited them for talks; others received invitation via the universities who received calls from the army. They were invited to report themselves at separate times, but they decided to go together as a group on Monday.
Some of the academics’ homes in Chiang Mai were reported to have been raided by the army.
Chiang Mai province is a stronghold of the deposed government supporters.
