Five activists in Thailand’s insurgency-plagued Deep South are facing the heat after hosting a mock referendum on self-determination.

 

Yesterday, October 3, police charged two activists and three students for organising the event in June last year, sparking renewed debates about free speech in the volatile, heavily militarised border region.

 

The group, which includes members of The Pattani political movement and the Pelajar Bangsa student group, faces accusations under Article 116 of the Thai Criminal Code. The charges carry a potential seven-year prison sentence for threatening national security. Their “crime”? A mock poll that asked attendees if they supported self-determination for Pattani, a historical region spanning Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla.

 

“This case involves students’ freedom of expression. Academic spaces should be free.”

Hussain Buenae, one of the charged students, emphasised the event’s academic nature. His co-defendant, Artef Sohko, voiced concerns about a rushed legal process.

 

“We question whether the entire process has been hastily concluded.”

The backdrop of this controversy is the Deep South’s decades-long separatist conflict, where over 7,500 lives have been lost since 2004, according to Deep South Watch. The region, predominantly Muslim Malay, has seen waves of unrest, with more than 22,200 incidents and 14,000 injuries during that period.

 

Police, however, appear cautious, labelling the case “delicate.” Police Major General Nitinai Langyanai reassured that the proceedings were following due legal process.

 

This case has broader implications for Thailand’s peace process with insurgents, which has seen mixed results since its resumption in 2020. Human rights organisations have also expressed concerns about the suppression of free speech in the region, with over 40 activists charged since 2017.

 

The court hearing is set for November 13, leaving activists and observers questioning Thailand’s commitment to civil liberties, reported Benar News.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal
Photo courtesy of Benar News

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-10-05

 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

sparking renewed debates about free speech

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“This case involves students’ freedom of expression. Academic spaces should be free.”

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

leaving activists and observers questioning Thailand’s commitment to civil liberties,

 

Sorry guys but the above are not allowed in Thailand.

Very sad though.

Criticism of the government, questioning of the authorities, questioning the status quo, activism, and desire for change and progress are always discouraged by those in power here. Sluggard dinosaurs. 

Those southerners are just trouble makers

Same as their brethren the world over 

I say weed them out before they cause more problems…..all budding terrorists in the making 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Their “crime”? A mock poll that asked attendees if they supported self-determination for Pattani, a historical region spanning Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla.

Thailand wants absolute control... nothing else.

 

 

 

The day after they announced the army is pulling out!!!

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Criticism of the government, questioning of the authorities, questioning the status quo, activism, and desire for change and progress are always discouraged by those in power here. Sluggard dinosaurs. 

With the rise of 'woke', free speech regarding immigrants or trans issues in the UK isn't tolerated either, you can lose your job or face imprisonment, the police even told one blogger he had to adjust his thinking, leading them to be called the 'thought police', but the UK has become mad now anyway, you need a permit now to keep chickens or pigeons even. So Thailand isn't alone, whereby considering the inflammatory nature of the deep South the Thai police have every right to be watchful, when they start asking for chicken permits I will change my mind.