A former Pheu Thai Party deputy spokeswoman turned up at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) yesterday to answer charges of sedition and computer law violations. Lt Sunisa Divakorndamrong, popularly known as "Muad Jeab", arrived at the TCSD with her lawyer.
Pheu Thai Party politicians and supporters gathered outside the TCSD to lend their moral support while representatives of foreign embassies and human rights bodies turned up as observers.
On Dec 7, legal representatives of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lodged a police complaint against Lt Sunisa for attacking the government in Facebook posts. The complaint claims she violated the Computer Crime Act and committed sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code.
Lt Sunisa wrote that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha opened Government House on Dec 4 to welcome high-profile charity runner Artiwara "Toon" Kongmalai but refused to meet protesters during his trip to the South last month. The demonstrators were opposing the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Songkhla's Thepha district. After acknowledging the charges, Lt Sunisa said she criticised the government for what she saw as its discriminatory practices. She insisted she made her comments in the best interests of the country.
As a Thai citizen she has the right to express herself freely and the government should pay heed to criticism rather than pursue legal action against those who hold different opinions, Lt Sunisa said.
She claimed the case against her was politically motivated because she was a former Pheu Thai spokeswoman who had spoken negatively about the government. If convicted, she could face up to 42 years in jail.
Her lawyer, Narinpong Jinaphak, said Lt Sunisa had only expressed her opinion and the charge of sedition was too harsh. Police should not let themselves be used to harass people by those in power, he added.