Seven anti-coup demonstrators face charges of sedition in relation for their weekend gathering at Pathumwan intersection that demanded an election be held this year, police said Tuesday.
Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) representatives, whom he refused to identify, had lodged a complaint with Pathumwan police against seven alleged leaders of the demonstration.
Police also plan to investigate who is behind the movement and where any financial support has come from, Pol Gen Srivara said.
The seven activists are Sirawit "Ja New" Seritiwat, Nutta Mahattana, Democracy Restoration Group leader Rangsiman Rome, student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, lese majeste convict Ekachai Hongkangwan, human rights lawyer Anon Nampa and student activist Sukrid Peansuwan.
They are accused of sedition by breaking the NCPO's order banning political gatherings of five or more people.
Pol Lt Col Samak Panyawong of Pathumwan police station said that a junta representative, who he also would not identify, had filed charges of sedition and violating a ban on political gatherings.
While police refused to say who had filed the charges, an NCPO member, Col Burin Thongprapai, said it was him. Col Burin said the seven have been singled out by superior officers in the junta "because they are the leaders and committed sedition".
"We have solid recorded evidence that these seven protest leaders have violated the junta's ban on political gatherings of more than four, and committed acts of incitement against the state," Col Burin said.
Separately, Paisal Puechmongkol, an aide to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, told reporters that last Saturday's protest was a "pro-democracy campaign orchestrated by foreign powers". He presented no proof but claimed the weekend demonstrations were similar to those in Iran and Hong Kong.
Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa: These people have no shame
Speaking about the pro-election movement, Gen Prawit himself said laws and the NCPO's orders must be upheld. "We are a sovereign power. What would you do?" said Gen Prawit.
Those charged were present when around 100 people converged at the skywalk near the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre late on Saturday afternoon to express their disapproval over the possible 90-day delay of elections. They protested against delay caused by the National Legislative Assembly's (NLA) decision on Thursday to pass a bill on MP elections that may push back the election to February, although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had promised a vote within this year.
The group has announced that it intends to hold rallies every Saturday until a general election is held.
One of those charged, Mr Anon, a civil rights lawyer, said Tuesday that he expects to receive a police summons via mail in the next few days, although he hasn't seen the official charges against him yet.
"The military dictatorship filed charges to arrest democracy activists on the grounds of violating the dictatorship's orders," Mr Anon wrote on his Facebook account on Tuesday. "It's funny. Not only do these people have no shame, they're also confused and lost in their generation."
The chief of the National Security Council, Wanlop Rugsanoh, said a further investigation will be carried out after Gen Prawit's adviser indicated the movement against the government is receiving support from overseas.
Meanwhile, the US ambassador to Thailand, Glyn T Davies, paid a courtesy call last week on NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who gave an explanation for the decision to delay the enforcement of the bill relating to MP elections, said Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.
The US ambassador was among several foreign envoys who criticised the election delay last week.
- Earlier report: Protesters to face junta charges
