NCPO denounces vigilantism

NCPO denounces vigilantism

Royal 'critics' slapped, beaten in public

A Phuket province official (centre) and combat policeman (left, in cap) attempt to reason with leaders of a mob seeking the arrest last Friday of a man who allegedly insulted King Bhumibol in a Facebook post. (Video grab by AP)
A Phuket province official (centre) and combat policeman (left, in cap) attempt to reason with leaders of a mob seeking the arrest last Friday of a man who allegedly insulted King Bhumibol in a Facebook post. (Video grab by AP)

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has told the public not to use violence against people who allegedly insult the monarchy and to allow authorities to handle cases based on due process.

NCPO spokesman Piyapong Klinpan asked the public Tuesday to let authorities take legal action against suspects who committed acts deemed defamatory to the royal family in violation of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law.

The NCPO was concerned the situation could escalate into violence, Col Piyapong said. The move came after several incidents stirred up conflicts between the public and those who allegedly posted "inappropriate" messages concerning the monarchy in Phuket, Surat Thani and Phangnga in recent days.

The latest incident took place in Bangkok on Monday. A video clip featuring a 55-year-old woman, who was said to have spoken words insulting to the monarchy on a public bus and was slapped in the face by another woman, went viral on social media.

Nang Loeng traffic police invited the old woman to get off the bus after an officer was alerted by another passenger to the woman's act when the bus stopped at a red light.

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Another incident which also went viral shows a man accused of posting an inappropriate message concerning the monarch being attacked by a group of residents in Chon Buri.

He was kicked violently in the head and face and he was forced to prostrate himself at His Majesty's portrait to make an apology.

Also Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked the public to refrain from posting or disseminating such improper content or photos as they would create conflict and confusion.

He said he instructed authorities to monitor content and photos deemed defamatory to the royal family or which could pose security threats, particularly on social networks, as this could instigate divisions among people in the country.

Aside from disparaging the spirit of Thais during this difficult time after the passing of His Majesty the King, the inappropriate content could also violate the lese majeste law, he said.

As for the government's announcement urging people to wear black during the national mourning period, the prime minister said: "Don't assume they don't love the King only because they don't wear black. This will make the colour issue become another conflict."

In a separate development Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said he will send a letter to the embassies of foreign countries where lese majeste suspects had fled, asking for their cooperation in regards to extradition requests.

Justice Minister Paiboon said "there's nothing better than social measures" to prevent the monarchy from being maligned. He did not elaborate, and it wasn't clear if he was supporting public shaming.

Gen Paiboon said he also assigned the Department of Special Investigation to compile a list of suspects living overseas.

However, he said it was difficult for foreign authorities to extradite those suspects, adding that Thai authorities had to respect their decisions.

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