The family of anti-coup campaigner Sombat Boonngamanong yesterday petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to help locate the activist who was arrested last Thursday in Chon Buri province.
The family is among 10 groups and individuals who have filed NHRC complaints alleging that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has trampled the rights of its detainees.
Mr Sombat's wife Kessuda filed the complaint on her husband's whereabouts. He has not been seen since his arrest.
Other complainants included a group of student activists from Khon Kaen University known as Dao Din, and Porntip Pongsawat, the aunt of a man called Apichart, whose surname has been withheld but was arrested on May 22.
Ms Porntip said her nephew has been charged with protesting against the coup and a lese majeste offence. Mr Apichart is being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison pending trial and has been denied bail.
Human rights lawyer Russada Manurassada suggested the NHRC visit prison and detention centres to assess sensitive cases involving lese majeste charges.
Mahidol University Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies lecturer Eakpant Pindavanaija added that the NHRC should meet the NCPO to request information regarding detention and bail denials.
The Thai Volunteer Service Foundation also filed complaints on behalf of student activists who were ordered by the 2nd Army Region to suspend political activities. Foundation representative Siriporn Chaipetch accused the military of using excessive force and obstructing the work of the non-governmental organisations supporting members of grassroots political movements.
NHRC commissioner Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said he was concerned that the military had overstepped justified means of dealing with critics, referring to action taken against students activists and academics at Khon Kaen University, who were protesting against mine operations in the Northeast.
He suggested the NHRC seek a memorandum of understanding with the NCPO, detailing standard military operation procedures that do not undermine human rights.
Meanwhile, Tip-arbha Suchantabut, mother of a volunteer guard killed during a clash between police and protesters at Dindaeng Stadium on Dec 26, has approached the NHRC to help shed light on her son's case.
Ms Tip-arbha said she has filed an inquest with the Criminal Court because she believes the authorities were responsible for the death of her son, Vasu. The inquest will start on June 30 and is likely to conclude within five months, she said.
Monday would have been his birthday. "I miss him so much. Nothing has moved forward for over six months," she said.