The recent assault case where a man was allegedly beaten and thrown into the Bang Pakong River has brought the actions of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) guards under fire.
This photo of Yuem Nillar’s extensive bruising was uploaded to the Facebook page of the police spokesman team.
It is among several criminal cases over the past few months that allegedly involved PDRC security guards although police investigations have yet to conclude.
In several cases, dead victims were found decorated with flag logos, cloth or whistles used as symbols of PDRC protest.
In the latest case, Yuem Nillar, 33, a security guard with a private company in Bangkok, was allegedly taken from Lumpini Park and detained at a rally site before he was tied up, beaten, and thrown into the Bang Pakong River.
According to the victim's accounts, the men who attacked him were PDRC security guards. They detained him at the rally site for five days and assaulted him after they found him carrying a United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) card issued in 2010.
After five days of torture, Mr Yuem says he was tied up, blindfolded and taken to a bridge spanning the river, which is in Chachoengsao.
The men threw him in, but he was rescued by a passing cargo ship before a local rescue foundation later sent him to hospital.
His case has spread across social media.
However, police have yet to conclude whether the attackers were PDRC guards or not.
Pol Col Kiattisak Srathongoil, chief of the Bang Pakong police station, told the Bangkok Post that police have talked to some witnesses including the boat workers who rescued the man from the river.
According to the ship staff, Mr Yuem wasn't carrying any ID when he was taken from the river. He also wore a Thai flag ribbon around his neck.
"He had several bruises over his face and body. His wrists had traces of rope wounds. He has breathing problems, but still can talk to others," said Amnart Pinyakul, a Chachoengsao Charity Aid Foundation staff member who picked up Mr Yuem.
When Mr Yuem was taken to Bang Pakong Hospital, doctors found his lung was lacerated from the impacts of a solid object, Mr Amnart said.
Mr Yuem later told police that his ID card and UDD card were seized by the men. He admitted that he joined the UDD protest in 2010 but he did not clarify why he was currently carrying the UDD card, police said.
Pol Col Kiattisak said Mr Yuem did not tell police all details of what happened during his detention as he had breathing trouble during interrogation.
But he told rescue staff that he was occasionally beaten during his detention and did not receive any food.
Police are checking CCTV footage to verify his claims. Police made sketches of two men according to Mr Yuem’s description, claiming they are the PDRC guards.
The sketches will be compared with files of PDRC guards.
"We’ll need to inquire further with him [Mr Yuem] when he gets better," Pol Col Kiattisak said.
"We should not assume anything until police collect complete evidence. We will give fairness to both sides. This case involves sensitive issues."
Mr Yuem was transferred to Police General Hospital yesterday morning. Police said it was for Mr Yuem’s safety.
Thaworn Senneum, a PDRC co-leader, said that he would cooperate with the investigation if police have evidence.
"Police must provide the evidence, or else, [the claims] are lies," he said.
Mr Thavorn admitted guards can sometimes behave problematically as thousands of men gather in one place.
"It’s not easy to control everyone. They are from different places. Some people can be bad and do bad things," he said.
"There could be some problems such as stealing, drugs and brawling. If we find such cases, we always expel those people."
Mr Thavorn launched a guard training programme on Monday, focusing on polite behaviour. About 2,000 guards are expected to complete the training by the end of this week.
Prior to Mr Yuem's case, there were other brutal incidents allegedly involving PDRC guards.
On Monday, Pol Col Nopporn Suppapat from the Royal Thai Police Office of Legal Affairs and Litigation launched complaints against the Patumwan police claiming he was attacked on Feb 28 by a PDRC guard at Siam Square.
He was attacked with an electric shock tool and beaten by men thought to be PDRC guards because he refused to be searched by them.
On Jan 26, the body of Boontiang Kam-im, 41, was found near Samien Nari temple on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road in Bangkok.