The People Go Network, a civic group is suing the Royal Thai Police (RTP) for blockading its protest march.
Surachai Trongngam, a lawyer representing the group, officially lodged the complaint with the administrative court yesterday. The complaint accused the RTP, the commander of Klong Luang district police station in Pathum Thani, and the commanders of Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provincial police divisions of violating the 2015 Public Gathering Act last Saturday when blocking group members from launching a protest march from Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus to Khon Kaen.
"Instead of providing security and safe passage, the police derailed our peaceful walk as though we were criminals. Indeed, we had already officially requested permission on Wednesday to launch our march. But our civic and lawful activity was thwarted by the state apparatus," Mr Surachai told media.
Nimit Tienudom, a member of the network said they intend to continue the march despite the climate of hostility created by the police actions, which included having security officials examine ID cards and take photos of participants.
"We had to camp along the road instead of sleeping in temples as previously arranged due to state intervention," he said.
Flashback: On Saturday, a police line clashed with the People Go Network as they attempted to start their march. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
The network had to reduce the number of participants to 15 groups of four people. These groups will take turns to walk the 400km to Khon Kaen and expect to arrive on Feb 17.