The Fourth Army Region lodged a complaint with the Muang district police of Pattani province on Sunday, seeking the investigation of a group of people, including students, lecturers, politicians and members of civic groups, who participated in a recent public forum, during which a mock referendum on self-determination was held.
The complaint accuses the group of engaging in activities which could be deemed to constitute insurrection, instigation of unrest, criminal association and threatening national security, in violation of the Thai Constitution.
The Patanian Student Movement (Pelajar Bangsa) held the public forum at the Faculty of Political Science in the compound of the Prince of Songkhla University (Pattani campus) on June 7th, to discuss the peace process in the restive Deep South.
During the forum, Pelajar Bangsa held a mock referendum to gauge opinions about self-determination for Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla province.
Among the well-known speakers at the forum were Associate Professor Mark Tamthai, a lecturer at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Prachachart party deputy leader Worawit Baru and deputy secretary-general of the Pentham (Fair) party, Hakim Pongtigor.
The Pattani Muang district police have accepted the complaint and will set up a team to investigate and summon those organising the event and some participants for questioning.
No charges have been filed against anyone yet, according to a police report.
The student movement has claimed that the forum was intended to serve as a platform for a dialogue for peace in the restive region.
