The head of a student activist group on Monday asked the Criminal Court to rule Sunday’s arrest of Thammasat University student Thanet Anantawong unlawful.
Democracy Studies group leader Sirawith "Ja New" Seritiwat petitioned the court to void the arrest because, he claimed, plainclothes officers took Mr Thanet while he was undergoing treatment at Sirindhorn Hospital in Bangkok's Prawet district, did not present an arrest warrant and did not identify themselves.
Mr Thanet faces lese majeste and other charges related to the Rajabhakti Park scandal. He is being held for questioning at the temporary prison at the 11th Military Circle in Bangkok.
The court set Tuesday at 1.30pm to decide whether to accept the petition for consideration.
An initial investigation found Mr Thanet, 25, is connected to another lese majeste suspect, Thanakorn Siriphaibun, 27, who soldiers detained earlier. The Military Court today granted approval to detain him for another 12 days.
The two face charges for lese majeste, inciting disorder and computer crimes, following their alleged involvement in posting or sharing an informational graphic known as the "corruption chart" that implicates military and government figures in irregularities allegedly present in the construction of the army-backed park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Mr Sirawith, also a Thammasat student, said soldiers allowed Mr Thanet's friends to bring his medication from the hospital, but did not allow them to visit him. No one has been able to contact the suspect since, he said.
Mr Sirawith alleged Mr Thanet's detention was unlawful under Section 90 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
