MPs to grill Prawit about 'uninvited visits'
text size

MPs to grill Prawit about 'uninvited visits'

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon

The opposition will on Wednesday call on Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to clarify reports that security officials are turning up uninvited at the homes of political activists and academics.

The unannounced visits are being seen as acts of intimidation and harassment.

Future Forward Party secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul said FFP list-MP Rangsiman Rome has been asked to file a motion on the issue, which is sparking concern among government critics.

The opposition's move is in response to claims by a group of political activists, students, and academics who say they have been paid "surprise" visits by security officials for no apparent reason. Some claim they are being followed by soldiers or police, who say when challenged that they are providing protection.

Mr Piyabutr said Gen Prawit will be questioned about the matter because he is in charge of security affairs.

Among those who claim to have received uninvited guests are Anusorn Unno, dean of Thammasat University's Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, and Prachin Thanangkorn, a leader of the anti-coup group "We Want Elections".

Mr Anusorn wrote on Facebook that officers from Don Muang police station came knocking at his house after he took part in a forum at Thammasat University on Sunday to discuss civil rights and liberties in universities under the military government.

According to Mr Anusorn, the police told him they were sent to check whether he lived at the house and then abruptly left.

Mr Anusorn is a critic of the National Council for Peace and Order and a leading member of the Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights.

He took part in a 450-kilometre walk called "We Walk" early last year from Thammasat University's Rangsit campus to Khon Kaen's Muang district. The walk was to encourage people to share thoughts on issues which differed from the government's.

Mr Prachin also wrote on Facebook that five policemen came to his house on Monday only to find he was not home. They then told a relative not to take their pictures or Mr Prachin would be thrown in jail.

He said his relative called him and had him talk to the officers who demanded to know what he did for a living and to confirm his address.

Pol Col Rangsan Sornsing, superintendent of Don Muang station, said on Tuesday the "visit" was not politically motivated and it was just officers on routine patrol.

Meanwhile, political activists led by Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak on Tuesday renewed calls for police to speed up an investigation into the brutal attack against political activist Sirawith Serithiwat, also known as "Ja New".

The group went to Royal Thai Police headquarters and read out a statement criticising the slow pace of the investigation. In a symbolic gesture they smeared white T-shirts with red paint to symbolise blood and violence.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (45)