Anti-coup activist seeks parity

Anti-coup activist seeks parity

An anti-coup demonstrator who was released this week from military detention has called on the junta to ensure justice for all sides of the political divide.

Khomkhai Onlam, 50, a housewife and supporter of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said her strong opposition to the military takeover drove her to join an anti-coup protest at Victory Monument on May 29.

She went there with a friend after being told that a rally opposing the coup was being held.

Upon her arrival, she said she saw troops standing guard at the protest site. To make her stance known, Ms Khomkhai said she held up an anti-coup placard in a silent protest against the military's political intervention.

A short time later, a soldier approached and warned her to end the protest as it violated martial law. Ms Khomkhai said she heeded the warning and ended her demonstration.

As she was about to take the BTS skytrain home, soldiers again approached her and demanded that she accompany them.

Female soldiers then escorted her to the Crime Suppression Division prison, where she was held for six days.

During her detention, officers were sent to talk to her and asked who had hired her to join the anti-coup demonstration.

"I told them the truth — that nobody hired me. I went there of my own accord as I strongly disagree with the coup," Ms Khomkhai said.

She said reports that she had been paid to join the gathering were groundless and hurtful.

While in detention, Ms Khomkhai said she had the chance to talk to other demonstrators. Most shared the same view that they would not partake in any political activities after being released.

But nobody would accept it for long if justice did not prevail, she said.

"We want justice to prevail for all sides," Ms Khomkhai said. "No one wants to come out to create chaos in the country as we all have jobs to do. We will return home [after being released from detention] but will continue to monitor whether the junta will treat all sides fairly or not."

Before joining the anti-coup rally, Ms Khomkhai said she had braced herself for any consequences.

She said she was not afraid of being put behind bars for violating martial law, which prohibits all political gatherings of more than five people.

During her detention, she was warned not to take part in any political gatherings after being released.

She told security officers that she had fought in her own way by expressing her opposition to the coup, and that she had accomplished her task.

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