The government yesterday denied allegations raised by Amnesty International in the UK over the possible torture of bombing suspects currently detained under martial law in Thailand.
"Those people are detained because they allegedly committed misconduct and investigations are needed to probe the allegations. No one has been beaten while under detention," said Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, defence minister and deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs.
"Martial law doesn't authorise any official to beat any suspect," he said, defending the government's treatment of detainees allegedly involved in the grenade explosion on March 7 in the parking lot of the Bangkok Criminal Court.
AI said on Friday that two men, Surapol Iam-suwan and Wasu Lam-laor, were in military custody under martial law.
Four others — Charnwit Jariyanukul, Norapat Lueapol, Sansern Sriounruen and Wichai Yoosuk — told Thai Lawyers for Human Rights they were given electric shocks, punched, kicked in the head, chest and back and threatened with assault during interrogation in military detention from March 9-15. At least one had visible bruises on his chest, and marks that appear to be left by electric shocks.
The detainees, now in Bangkok Remand Prison, are among an estimated 15 people in army detention. Deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said they will listen to any concerns raised "without a hidden agenda".
Maj Gen Sansern urged people to respect authority and trust information provided by the government, rather than by news sources who make vague accusations without any evidence to back up claims.
International NGOs should weigh the reliability of the distorted information they receive, or they may "offend the feelings of Thai people", he said.
The NCPO does not want anyone to speculate about events in Thailand, because they may have a negative view or be biased since they cannot understand the Thai context, Col Winthai said.