The Partnership on Energy Reform (PER) is vowing to press on with its campaign for change, despite pressure from the military regime to stop.
The army detained 11 PER members on a march from Songkhla to Bangkok last Wednesday at Senanaraong Amy Camp in Hat Yai. The marchers, who were released on Sunday, were calling on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to review energy management.
Veera Somkwamkid, coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, and seven others were arrested for violating martial law, which prohibits political gatherings, during a similar march on Sunday. They were detained at Crime Suppression Division (CSD) headquarters and would be released in seven days if the military decides not to press charges, said Pol Col Prasopchoke Prommoon, deputy commander of the CSD. PER supporter Suporn Wongmek stopped his march yesterday in Surat Thani. But other local supporters vowed to carry on.
Meanwhile, Somboon Kamhaeng, a PER member and leader of a network monitoring development projects in Satun, said PER supporters will engage in more activism. “We’re being restricted, so we may have to change our approach,” he said.
Mr Somboon said seminars would be held in 14 southern provinces, home to many petroleum and coal projects, to educate people about energy reform. PER said it lacks confidence in the National Reform Council because a number of projects have been fast-tracked by the NCPO.
After the news of PER members being arrested spread, many groups have shown support for PER. Activists in Surat Thani, Chumporn and Satun said on social media they would run energy reform campaigns. Greenpeace member Thara Buakhamsri said the NCPO's reform process didn't provide enough opportunity for people to participate. “We need bottom-up processes,” he said. “Otherwise, it’ll be like a boiler waiting to burst."