Thai Police Seek Prosecution of Future Forward Party Leader Over 2018 Facebook Post

BANGKOK – As political tensions mount the first election since the 2014 coup in Thailand grows near, critics of the Thai Junta and its followers say the regime may be taking advantage of a controversial Computer Crime Act law to gain a possible political advantage.

Yesterday Police Lieutenant Colonel Krit Seneewong Na Ayutthaya of the Royal Thai police said they were seeking the prosecution of the leader of a new political party over a speech he made that was posted on Facebook criticizing the ruling junta, just over a month before a general election.

The legal action against Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 40, and two senior colleagues in the Future Forward Party, which has attracted the support of young voters, adds to concern that the military is determined to retain its hold on power after the March 24 election.

“We will send both the case for prosecution and the suspects to the attorney-general,” said Pol Lt Col Krit Seneewong Na Ayutthaya, an investigator on the case from the Technology Crime Suppression Division.

Mr Thanathorn and two Anakhot Mai Party executive members face five years in prison under the Computer Crime Act for “uploading false information” in a speech posted on Facebook in June of last year.

A conviction would automatically disqualify all three from the political scene.

Pol Lt Col Krit said the case would be referred next week to state prosecutors, who will decide whether to take it to court.

The party denied the charge, saying the points made in the speech were public information.

“It’s obvious that as the election approaches, the case is being rushed ahead … We’re ready to face whatever challenge comes our way,” Mr Thanathorn told reporters at a rally in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Hundreds of young people, many of them students, turned out for the rally. Most took pictures and videos of Mr Thanathorn and some queued up to take selfies with him.

The hashtag “#SaveThanathorn” was trending on Thai Twitter.

Next month’s general election is the first since a 2014 military coup.

While the vote is being highly anticipated by political parties and voters, some grumble that a new constitution, drafted under military supervision, will ensure that the generals will retain a significant role in politics.

Mr Thanathorn launched his party last year, promoting it as an alternative to Thailand’s polarized politics, which has for years pitted loyalists of ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra against establishment parties supporting the military-royalist elite.

Mr Thanathorn has been critical of military rule, recently pledging to prosecute coup-makers and amend the new constitution.

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat
Thompson Reuters