Police have detained a man for allegedly posting an image of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and a statement deemed insulting to the Monarchy on social media, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Puttipong Punnakanta disclosed on Wednesday.
In his Facebook post, the minister gave no details about the suspect, claiming that it was a sensitive issue, but he said “Nobody can stand (this insult), me included. We must protect our beloved institution.”
Future Forward spokeswoman Pannika Wanich said that the image in question, which includes party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, is fake. She added that she has many witnesses, including members of the media, who can testify that there was no such image or insulting statement made during the protest at Pathumwan skywalk last Saturday.
She demanded Puttipong disclose the identity of the man who is under arrest, the charges against him and where he has been held, adding “Is there no law in this country? Are we still in the era of the junta?”
Ms. Pannika insisted that the rally last Saturday was just an expression of people’s dissatisfaction with the current political situation.
Meanwhile, Sunai Phasuk, Thailand’s Human Rights Watch representative, also demanded that Puttipong disclose the identity and whereabouts of the suspect, noting that the suspect has a right to legal assistance.
