An assistant of Democrat list-MP Korn Chatikavanij was attacked in the early hours of yesterday morning in an assault the opposition party believes was politically motivated.
ON THE PROTEST BANDWAGON: A masked demonstrator near Samsen railway station.
Mr Korn's assistant Phasanoch Hautavanija was assaulted by two attackers who hit him with a hard object at a noodle shop on Silom Road about 3am, shortly after he left the anti-amnesty bill protest at Samsen railway station.
Mr Phasanoch, 35, was knocked unconscious and sustained injuries to his head and face. He was sent to Chulalongkorn Hospital where his wounds were closed with 20 stitches.
He lodged a complaint at Bang Rak police station yesterday.
Mr Phasanoch told the police that he believed the incident was politically motivated as the Democrat Party is staunchly opposed to the government's political amnesty bill, which passed its third and final parliament reading on Friday. The Democrats organised the street protest in the Samsen area to show their opposition to the move.
"I believe more people will join the protest after this attack," Mr Phasanoch said.
He later said in a Facebook post that he had been hit three times near his right eye and on the left side of his head.
Ong-art Klamphaiboon, another Democrat list-MP, yesterday condemned the attackers.
Mr Ong-art said he believed there would be more threats and physical attacks against those who had criticised the government and mobilised anti-government demonstrations. "This attack was outrageous because it happened in a public place. I count this as an abuse of personal rights," he said.
He also claimed Mr Phasanoch had been bullied on social media for his anti-government activities.
Bang Rak police superintendent Ratchapol Bunnag said an investigation found that the victim visited an entertainment venue in Silom Soi 2 before being attack but it was not known yet if this was connected to the attack.
Piya Uthayo, spokesman for the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, said eyewitnesses told police that the suspects arrived in a bronze Toyota car with the licence plate number 5272, but they could not remember the accompanying letters.
He said initial investigations found there were three cars with these licence plate numbers, all registered outside Bangkok.
ON THE MEND: Phasanoch Hautavanija recovers after being beaten unconscious.