The police are looking into whether Amnesty International Thailand has undermined national security and the monarchy through its actions, as requested by a group of protesters who claimed to be acting to protect the royal institution, a police spokesman said on Monday.
Pol Col Kissana Phatthanacharoen said the group of self-proclaimed royalists made the request through a letter addressed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, which was received by Seksakol Atthawong, a vice minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday.
On Friday, Gen Prayut said that authorities have opened an investigation into the group after they spoke out about the prosecution of anti-government protesters.
Pol Col Kissana said yesterday the prime minister has ordered the Ministry of Interior and the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to look into the matter.
The RTP is now investigating whether the non-government organisation had committed any offences in a way that could affect national security and the monarchy, he said.
If there is clear evidence of an offence, the RTP will take action against the organisation, Pol Col Kissana said.
Members of the network and other pro-government groups rallied in front of Silom Complex in Bangkok yesterday, in the hopes of gathering one million signatures to support their campaign to get Amnesty International banned in Thailand.
The group organised a lion dance performance to attract passers-by, with supporters holding banners with the message "Amnesty International GET OUT of Thailand".