The Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights promised on Wednesday to look into a complaint regarding the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc) Region 4's decision to penalise activists for wearing Malay traditional dress at an event in Pattani in 2022.
Kamolsak Leewamoh, the committee chairman, said after receiving the complaint that all parties would be invited for more questioning. The complaint against Isoc Region 4's move to issue warrants for the nine activists was submitted on Wednesday by Areepen Utarasin, adviser to the House Speaker, and Muk Sulaiman, the Speaker's secretary. To underscore their point, both Mr Areepen and Mr Muk wore Malay national dress when submitting their complaint.
The clothing was similar to that worn by the targeted activists -- and many of the other 15,000 participants -- in the "Melayu Raya 2022" celebrations, a community event by and for young Malay/Muslims in Thailand's deep South, staged in Pattani province.
Mr Areepen said the event was organised by the Civil Society Assembly for Peace (CAP) at Wasukree Beach in Sai Buri district on May 4, 2022. Wearing Malay dress was among the activities aimed at preserving local culture and providing a platform for young people to represent their identity, he said.
Mr Areepen said the organiser consulted with the Isoc Region 4 prior to the event and was told wearing such costumes was acceptable.
However, after the event, the organiser was contacted by Isoc Region 4 and Sai Buri Police Station for causing incitation and criminal association. The charges were later put on hold due to a lack of evidence.
Two years later, on Jan 5, the nine activists received warrants from Isoc Region 4 for the same two charges. Mr Areepen demanded Isoc Region 4 withdraw the charges, which he said were in violation of people's right to wear their traditional clothing.
Isoc Region 4 responded saying the warrants were due to their participation in activities aiming at promoting separatism and displaying a flag of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN) separatist movement.