Police investigating Amnesty International
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Police investigating Amnesty International

A protester holds a sign calling for Amnesty International's expulsion from Thailand, amid a lion dance troupe performing in front of Silom Complex in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
A protester holds a sign calling for Amnesty International's expulsion from Thailand, amid a lion dance troupe performing in front of Silom Complex in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

Police are looking into whether Amnesty International Thailand has undermined national security and the monarchy, as requested by the self-proclaimed network of people protecting the royal institution, police deputy spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said on Monday.

The net work on Nov 25 made its request in a letter submitted  to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha via the Government House complaints centre. The letter was accepted by Seksakol Atthawong, a vice minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office.

Pol Col Krissana said the prime minister had assigned the Ministry of Interior and the Royal Thai Police to look into the matter.

The RTP,  on its part, was investigating whether the non-government organisation had committed any legal offences in a way that could affect national security and the monarchy.

The RTP was strictly complying with the law without discrimination. If there was clear evidence of a legal offence, the RTP would take action against the organisation according to the law, Pol Col Krissana said.

Members of the network and other pro-government groups rallied in front of the Silom Complex in Bangkok on Monday, hoping to gather up to one million signatures in support of a campaign to expel Amnesty International from Thailand.

The gathering was highlighted by a lion dance troupe performance, with supporters holding aloft banners with the message "Amnesty International GET OUT of  Thailand", and more.

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