Three suspects who allegedly violated the lese majeste law have been charged and detained at the Bangkok Military Court, following the government's vow to crack down on offenders.
Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said Wednesday that the three suspects were taken by police to the military court for a 12-day detention period after they were handed over by soldiers.
The Bangkok Military Court approved arrest warrants for the three suspects, who have been charged with lese majeste offences under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Pol Lt Gen Srivara said.
The three were identified as Suriyan Sucharitpolwong, a fortune-teller also known as Mor Yong; Jirawong Watthanathewasilp, who is Mr Suriyan's adviser; and Pol Maj Prakrom Warunprapa, the police chief said.
The three suspects have admitted to the charges, Pol Lt Gen Srivara said, adding they were found to have committed lese majeste offences over the past two months.
Pol Maj Pakrom has also been charged with possession of unlicensed weapons, he said.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) previously found the suspects had committed the alleged lese majeste offences by citing the monarchy to obtain benefits, a source said.
Last Friday, soldiers summoned the suspects for questioning at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen district under an NCPO order, the source said.
Maj Gen Wicharn Jodtaeng, a legal representative of the NCPO, then filed a complaint asking police to take action against the men under Section 112, according to the source.
On Friday, national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda set up a committee led by Pol Lt Gen Srivara to work with the military to investigate the alleged lese majeste offences. They used the evidence they gathered to ask the military court to issue arrest warrants for the three suspects.
Pol Gen Chakthip said the investigation confirmed that the suspects had cited the monarchy to obtain benefits.
He also said authorities were questioning eight police officers attached to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), who were transferred to inactive posts on Sunday, to determine whether they violated Section 112.
Pol Gen Chakthip said he had signed an order suspending Pol Maj Pakrom from duty, pending an investigation.
The major had confessed to the lese majeste charge, the police chief said.
Pol Lt Gen Srivara added that any others found to have been involved would face legal action.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon warned the public to stay away from those who cited the monarchy to obtain benefits.
When asked to comment on the case, Gen Prawit said that it was the police's responsibility to explain the details.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha this week vowed to crack down on people who violate the lese majeste law, saying they were destroying the country in a bid for "unlimited democracy".
Gen Prayut added that even though several websites with lese majeste content had been shut down and numerous convicts given royal pardons, people still dishonoured the royal institution.
The premier also urged the public to avoid paying attention to the issue, saying he did not want lese majeste cases to become newspaper headlines.
Mr Suriyan, 53, from Trang, has built up a reputation as a top fortune teller over 30 years.
Pol Maj Prakrom was earlier suspended from duty following an accusation that he forged the signature of the late Supreme Patriarch.
However, he was later cleared of the charge after prosecutors decided not to indict him. He also received legal rehabilitation.
On Jan 22, the Police Commission, chaired by Gen Prawit, decided to reinstate Pol Maj Prakrom to the police force and he was given a job at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).
Pol Maj Prakrom was also tasked with gathering evidence in investigating the criminal case against former CIB chief Pongpat Chayaphan, whose criminal network was brought down late last year.
Before his retirement on Sept 30, former police chief Somyot Poompunmuang signed an order appointing Pol Maj Prakrom as an inspector attached to the TCSD special operations unit, which will start work on Oct 30.
