If Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is "not okay" with the Red Bull scion's hit-and-run case, he should not be okay with the arrest of human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa and student activist Panupong Chadnok either.
In the Vorayuth "Boss'" Yoovidhya case, the PM said he was displeased with many aspects of the case which remain unclear. He also stressed that he wanted more transparency and promises to follow up closely. The PM should not be selective with his principles.
That there are many suspicious elements in the Red Bull scion case has been clear to the public for many years.
What's with the forensic police officer who testified at the time of the crash in 2012 that the Ferrari was travelling at 177kph per hour, then reversed it to less than the speed limit of 80kph four years later? The same officer apparently changed his mind again last week and told the police committee reviewing the case that the car's actual speed was indeed 177kph.
Where is the truth? Is it okay for the police to cite "confusion" as the reason for giving apparently false testimony that benefited the suspect, and which eventually led to him being freed of all charges?
It's no surprise the Red Bull case has shattered the reputation of the Royal Thai Police and put its integrity into further doubt.
It is quite clear to the public that the Red Bull case was marred with irregularities, as well as evidence and decisions which seemed to correspond with neither legal standards nor common sense.
Here, money, power and some murky influence can still prevail above the law. And apparently, they can also change a car's speed and make traces of alcohol and cocaine disappear from a case file!
But the most important aspect of the case is that it was closed without any authority taking note of the glaring irregularities.
The arrests of Mr Arnon and Mr Panupong last week may not be as high-profile as the Red Bull scion case, one but they reveal problems in Thailand's law enforcement all the same.
For them, the question is not just about which individual officers had done wrong. Instead, they seek to fix the entire system so that it can deal out justice to the public effectively, fairly and honestly.
The anti-government lawyer and student activist were arrested last Friday and charged with sedition and violation of the emergency decree, among other offences.
Mr Arnon created a stir when he gave a speech at the Harry Potter-themed rally near Democracy Monument on Aug 3. In the speech, the human rights lawyer questioned whether certain laws relating to the monarchy are constitutional and called for a more open discussion on the sensitive subject, so the country can truly adhere to constitutional monarchy principles.
Mr Arnon's speech, considered daring as it touched on the institution widely held as inviolable, seemed to resonate among certain groups, especially youths who are leading protests against the government.
However, police said the charges against the lawyer -- as well as Mr Panupong, who became known for holding a poster denouncing Gen Prayut when he visited Rayong after the Covid-19 alert -- are in connection with an anti-government gathering on July 18.
The government needs to clearly explain the rationale behind the arrests. If freedom of speech and the right to assemble are guaranteed by the constitution, then why were the pair slapped with sedition charges after they exercised their rights at the protest?
Also, Mr Panupong and Mr Arnon were listed as the fifth and seventh suspects on the arrest warrants. Who are the others, and why were they the only ones arrested? Most of all, can these charges be justified?
Violation of the emergency decree is a good example. Gen Prayut has said himself the law is meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19, not suppress political gatherings. Is he okay that the lawyer and activist were arrested for violating the decree?
Yesterday, youth leaders in Phitsanulok posted on Facebook that they had been detained by people who claimed to be state authorities, had their mobile phones seized and temporarily held against their will at an unknown location without charges, in order to prevent them from attending an anti-government rally on Sunday. The Border Patrol Police in the province denied the allegation, saying there had been no arrests.
In the post, the students -- who are now seeking a place to hide out of fear for their safety -- asked the public who would they rather trust. That could be the key question.
As public faith in law enforcement, the justice system and government mechanisms wanes, the authorities must not try to put a lid on discontent. Just like in the Red Bull case, the PM must take a stand and make it known that it's simply not okay.
Atiya Achakulwisut is a Bangkok Post columnist.