Army Commander Refutes Claims of Legal Action Over Traditional Attire

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Fourth Army Region Commander Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanak has dismissed allegations that legal action is being taken against southern youths for wearing traditional Malay attire at a cultural fair, clarifying that the individuals were instead summoned for their involvement in separatism-related activities.

 

Discussing the matter, Lt Gen Santi emphasized the support of Thai authorities for cultural expression, citing a previous fair where a traditional Malay costume contest was held without objection. He called for an end to the spread of misinformation regarding the issue.

 

Lt Gen Pramote Promin, spokesman for the 4th Region Army, noted that certain groups had, however, misused the Malay culture fair for their own agendas. This included activities involving poetry citing that encouraged separatism and the displaying of flags linked to separatist factions.

 

Authorities have confirmed that the legal actions against the group are not associated with their choice of clothing. Instead, the summons issued are tied to past activities. They assured that each individual was being treated fairly and no charges would be pursued unless they were proven guilty of a crime.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

Full story: NNT 2024-01-08

 

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[Artisi]

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Fourth Army Region Commander Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanak has dismissed allegations that legal action is being taken against southern youths for wearing traditional Malay attire at a cultural fair, clarifying that the individuals were instead summoned for their involvement in separatism-related activities.

 

Discussing the matter, Lt Gen Santi emphasized the support of Thai authorities for cultural expression, citing a previous fair where a traditional Malay costume contest was held without objection. He called for an end to the spread of misinformation regarding the issue.

 

Lt Gen Pramote Promin, spokesman for the 4th Region Army, noted that certain groups had, however, misused the Malay culture fair for their own agendas. This included activities involving poetry citing that encouraged separatism and the displaying of flags linked to separatist factions.

 

Authorities have confirmed that the legal actions against the group are not associated with their choice of clothing. Instead, the summons issued are tied to past activities. They assured that each individual was being treated fairly and no charges would be pursued unless they were proven guilty of a crime.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

Full story: NNT 2024-01-08

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Think themselves lucky they weren't handcuffed and throw into the back of a truck and transported off into the far distance, this sorts out any problems for the Thai Southern military. 

[Srikcir]

10 hours ago, Artisi said:

Think themselves lucky they weren't handcuffed and throw into the back of a truck and transported off into the far distance, this sorts out any problems for the Thai Southern military. 

Maybe as disturbing:

Enforcement of articles 22 to 25 of The Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance put into law effective Feb. 22, 2023 was postponed by PM Prayut until October 1. On May 18, 2023 the Constitutional Court ruled the postponement was illegal and must be retroactively effective from February 22, 2023.

I've not seen any public announcement to date by the new government and its military surrogates that it has made enforcement of the act operational.

Recall also that parts of the South continue under a State of Emergency including martial law and the Internal Security Act, which grants the security forces a lot of (undemocratic) power in the region.