12 politicians and academics face inciting unrest rap for comments on charter rewrite

The forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) yesterday lodged a
complaint with Pattani’s Muang district police, accusing seven politicians and four academics of
engaging in activities which may cause public unrest, in violation of Section 116 of the Criminal Court.

In the complaint filed by Maj-Gen Burin Thongprapai, a specialist attached to the ISOC’s forward
command, on behalf of Lt-Gen Pornsak Poonsawat, commander of the Fourth Army Region and the
regional ISOC chief, it was stated that the 12 people took part in a panel discussion, entitled “Dynamics
to Resolve Southern Problem Starting from a New Constitution”, held on September 28 th in Pattani, as
part of the opposition camp’s campaign to solicit public support for its attempt to rewrite the
Constitution.

About 150 people attended the political discussion, which was livestreamed through the Facebook page
of the Prachachart party. The event was also uploaded to YouTube.
The 12 panellists were accused of presenting distorted information to incite chaos or rebellion among
the people, which might lead to public unrest.

Named by the local ISOC for allegedly violating Section 116 of the Criminal Code are Pheu Thai party
leader Sompong Amornvivat, Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Pheu Chart
party leader Songkram Kitlertpairote, Palang Puangchon Thai party leader Mook Sulaiman, Prachachart
party leader Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, former National Security Council chief Lt-Gen Paradorn
Pattanathabutr, Kasetsart University lecturer Mrs. Chalita Bundhowong, political activist Sompong
Srakawee, Mr. Rakchart Suwan, Mr. Arsama Mangkornchai, Mr. Nikhom Boonviset and Mr. Sirote
Klampaiboon, a news anchor man of Voice TV.

Mrs. Chalita came under heavy online criticism for her controversial proposal to amend Section 1 of the
Constitution, which was interpreted by some as her advocacy for separatism in the Deep South.
Section 1 of the charter states that Thailand is a single, indivisible kingdom.

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