More Pheu Thai members arrested

More Pheu Thai members arrested

Police inspect property belonging to Pheu Thai politicians in Chiang Mai on July 23 before their arrest, allegedly for distorting the contents of the draft charter in letters. (Photo by Cheewin Sattha)
Police inspect property belonging to Pheu Thai politicians in Chiang Mai on July 23 before their arrest, allegedly for distorting the contents of the draft charter in letters. (Photo by Cheewin Sattha)

Soldiers escorted three northern politicians, two of them ex-Pheu Thai MPs, from Chiang Mai to the 11th Military Circle in Bangkok after they were accused of making comments on the draft charter.

Media reports said those arrested were former Pheu Thai MP for Lamphun Rangsan Maneerat, former Pheu Thai MP for Lampang Somphote Saithep and Parinya Khaowat, deputy mayor of tambon Ban Thi in Lamphun who is a friend of Mr Rangsan. They were taken from the Kawila army camp in Chiang Mai to Bangkok on Thursday.

Leading Pheu Thai figure Watana Muangsook said on his Facebook page that Mr Rangsan was arrested because of his comments on health welfare, free educational services and the allowance for the elderly in relation to the new constitution.

Other key Pheu Thai figures tried in vain to visit the men at the 11th Military Circle.

Mr Wattana wrote that Mr Rangsan and many others from Chiang Mai province were arrested for threatening national security.

Several Pheu Thai politicians from the wealthy Buranupakorn family and their associates in Chiang Mai were arrested late last month for producing and disseminating about 15,000 letters, allegedly containing false information about the draft charter.

Authorities said the letters were distributed in Chiang Mai, Pheu Thai's stronghold, as well as Lampang and Lamphun in the North ahead of the charter referendum on Sunday.

The Chiang Mai suspects remained in custody in the northern province as requests for their temporary release were rejected.

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