Opposition: Sedition charge 'delusional'

The government should withdraw its "delusional" sedition complaint because opposition members did not criticise the constitution's Section 1, on Thailand as an indivisible nation, during their charter change discussions, the opposition spokesman said on Friday.

Adisorn Piengkes was responding to the sedition complaint  the Internal Security Operations Command's southern forward command filed with police in Pattani against the leader of five opposition parties and seven other people in relation to a public discussion in front of the provincial hall on Sept 28 about changing the charter.

"Pheu Thai Party leader Sompong Amornwiwat sees the complaint by Isoc's southern forward command as being made under the delusion that Thailand is still under the rule of the National Council for Peace and Order," said Mr Adisorn, a member of Pheu Thai.

Mr Sompong is among the targets of Isoc's legal complaint.

M Adisorn said the complaint was filed by Maj Gen Burin Thongpraphai, who had coincidentally been promoted from lieutenant colonel during the NCPO's national administration.

The seven opposition parties were organising discussions in the provinces to gather public opinions on how the constitution should be amended to support democracy, Mr Adisorn said.

Opposition speakers did not challenge Section 1 of the constitution during the discussions. Section 1 stipulates Thailand is an indivisible kingdom. Opposition members spoke only in support of due rights and freedoms, and not sedition as Isoc assumed, he said.

He said it seemed the NCPO had transferred its power to Isoc.

"Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as the Isoc director, should put a stop this legal action, because democratic government and the House of Representatives are now in place," Mr Adisorn said.

He admitted that an academic mentioned the possibility of amending Section 1 of the constitution during the opposition's charter discussion in Pattani, but he said that was the personal opinion of the academic,  who should have freedom of expression.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Chusak Sirinil said speakers in Pattani only exercised their constitutional right to voice their opinions and had no intention to instigate national disorder.

The complaint brought by Isoc was politically motivated, he said.

Mr Chusak gave an assurance the seven opposition parties would not call for any amendment to Section 1 or Section 2 of the constitution. Section 2 stipulates that Thailand is a constitutional monarchy.