A micro opposition party on Wednesday lodged a petition against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) accusing him of malfeasance over sedition charges brought by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) against 12 people, including opposition politicians.
The petition, filed by the Thai People Power Party's Nikom Boonwiset, targeted Gen Prayut in his capacity as Isoc's director. According to the party, the sedition charges are false and unfounded.
Mr Nikom said the charges undermine the party's reputation and popularity, so the party members and party branches agreed that it should ask the NACC to investigate Gen Prayut.
He said the party was considering filing a civil lawsuit against the prime minister demanding financial compensation for damages, adding that the party would seek at least 100 million baht.
A complaint was also lodged against Gen Prayut with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).
The move comes after 4th Army Region commander Lt Gen Pornsak Poonsawat assigned Maj Gen Burin Thongpraphai, legal officer of Isoc Region 4 forward command, to lodge a complaint against 12 people who expressed views on the constitution during an opposition charter-change discussion in Pattani on Sept 28.
The forum heard from Kasetsart University social scientist Chalita Banthuwong, who gave her views on changing Section 1 of the constitution, which stipulates that Thailand is one indivisible kingdom.
Among the 12 were Mr Nikom, Pheu Thai Party leader Sompong Amornwiwat, Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Prachachat Party leader Wan Muhammad Nor Matha.
According to Isoc, the discussion threatened national security and solutions to problems in the southernmost provinces.
Core members of seven opposition parties on Sunday filed a complaint with the CSD, charging the 4th Army commander and another army officer with defamation and giving false information to the authorities.