Well known anti-junta political activist Sirawith Seritiwat, alias Ja New, has been seriously injured after he was again attacked by four unidentified men in front in the Bang Chan area of Bangkok on Friday morning.
The Democracy Restoration Group (DRG), of which Ja New is a core member, said he suffered multiple injuries in the attack and was rushed to Nawamin 1 Hospital.
The group condemned the unprovoked attack and urged the police to arrest the perpetrators as quickly as possible, adding that the pro-democracy activist was assaulted at a bus stop next to Ratchadapisek Soi 7 on June 2nd.
Ja New’s mother, Mrs. Paktnaree, told the media that he has regained consciousness but is only just able to talk due to the wounds to his head and face.
Pol Maj-Gen Somnuk Noikong, commander of the 3rd division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said police have examined local CCTV footage and questioned some eyewitnesses, who claimed they saw four men, wearing full-face crash helmets, who parked their two motorcycles next to Soi Phraya Suren on Ram-Inthra Road.
When Ja New emerged from the Soi at about 11am, the four men attacked him with wooden clubs until he collapsed and then fled on their motorcycles.
Ja New has been assaulted numerous times, including while he was on his way to Hua Hin a few years ago to protest against alleged corruption in the construction of the Ratchapakdi Park by the army. His journey was interrupted by troops who stopped him and his colleagues mid-way and had them sent back to Bangkok.
The Future Forward party condemned the latest attack on Ja New and has demanded the authorities end this “intimidation of the people.”
Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul asked in his Facebook post today why there has been a complete failure by the police to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.
