Public prosecutors on Thursday filed charges of criminal association and violation of the Constitution against five students and activists for organizing a forum and a mock referendum on self-determination for the three southernmost provinces in 2023.
They are also accused of violating the law on computer crimes for having the events broadcast live on social media.
The accused are members of the so-called Patanian Student Movement (Pelajar Bangsa) which advocates for “Patani nationhood” and self-determination for the provinces which have been a hotbed of violence for more than two decades.
They were later released on bail pending court proceedings.
The Fourth Army Region ordered an investigation against the five students and activists after they issued a statement during a public forum on violence in southern Thailand at Prince of Songkla University (Pattani) in June, 2023, calling for self-determination for the three provinces.
During the forum, they also organized a mock referendum on whether “Patani people” should have the right to self-determination and have a referendum on independence within the framework of the law.
The term Patani is used by local people to refer to the three southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat as well as certain districts of neighbouring Songkhla.
The prosecutors accuse the five of criminal association and violating Article 1 of the Constitution which states that “Thailand is one and indivisible Kingdom”.
In the statement read out at the forum in 2023, the activists said they were campaigning “for the existence of Patani nationhood and for a referendum that will lead to peace that is owned by the people.”
A video clip of the students reading out the statement was later posted on the group’s Facebook and triggered a heated debate in the social media.
The accused have unsuccessfully asked the public prosecutors to delay the case, pending the promulgation of a bill designed to bring peace to the region. They believe that their alleged offences would be absolved under the legislation.
The accused have denied all the charges against them, insisting that their activities were aimed at providing a platform for a dialogue on peace.
