A 42-year-old man with a history of psychiatric treatment was allegedly assaulted by a group of people in Bangkok's Don Mueang district before being handed to police over a complaint under Thailand's Section 112 royal defamation law. Thailandlanguage courses Thailandtravel guides

The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said the man, referred to as "Thanit", was left bruised, with a swollen lip and head pain after the alleged attack on the evening of 22 July 2026.

The group involved called itself Kong Ruean Rok and had claimed on Facebook livestreams to be pursuing a man they accused of posting videos and messages referring to the monarchy. It said it would find him within 24 hours.

Group allegedly took man from his home

According to TLHR, Kong Ruean Rok had posted that it was looking for Thanit from the evening of 20 July. On 22 July, several dozen people reportedly went to his accommodation in Don Mueang and took him outside, where he was attacked.

Video footage reviewed by the lawyers' group allegedly showed people surrounding Thanit, pressing him down with a foot, repeatedly slapping his face, tripping him so that he fell on his back, and stepping on his head and body.

The footage also reportedly showed people driving a knee into his stomach and striking his head with slaps and an elbow, causing the lenses of his glasses to come out of their frame.

Thanit was then placed in a pick-up truck and taken to Tao Poon Police Station, to follow up and hear the 112 complaint. The group remained around the station after bringing him there, TLHR said.

Police confirmed that an initial Section 112 complaint had been lodged at the station on 21 July 2026. At that point, officers had not issued a summons or sought an arrest warrant.

Phone examination and assault complaint

Police examined Thanit's phones while lawyers were following the case, despite there being no warrant, according to TLHR. Officers later recorded the seizure of two mobile phones.

The record, prepared by Pol Lt Col Itthikorn Treepraphakorn, an investigator at Tao Poon Police Station, stated that Thanit consented to the seizure and to officers accessing the phones' data.

It said the phones were evidence in a complaint lodged by Naruephon Noomongkot at 6.48pm on 21 July. The complainant alleged that a Facebook user had posted a Reel video mentioning King Rama X in language he regarded as insulting to the monarch.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Police later told lawyers they would take Thanit to Don Mueang Police Station. No charge had been laid against him at that stage, and officers said he could file a complaint there over the assault.

At Don Mueang Police Station, Thanit asked to pursue a complaint against those who allegedly attacked him. Officers accepted the report and lawyers requested a hospital referral for his injuries.

On the morning of 23 July 2026, Thanit underwent a medical examination. He reportedly complained of severe chest tightness and was admitted for emergency treatment, while Don Mueang investigators sought further questioning about the assault.

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24 July 2026

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So a new trend?? First take justice in their own hand and beat people up before filing a complaint of section 112?? I supposed it was first file a complaint. And what will happen now with the attackers? I suppose it is not allowed to take justice in your own hands

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

I suppose it is not allowed to take justice in your own hand

Most states are fiercely protective of their monopoly on violence so this kind of thing is punished. Attacking a mentally ill man is surprising; the fact that it was a mob of cowards is par for the course.

Taking someone from their home and beating them up on the street is totally unacceptable whatever the issue.

The " group " it should read cowards. Fighting Thai style ten against one. One of my brother inlaws lives in the country. He's a really nice person but can get really crazy but never violent when he's boozed on Dong Yah. He's only a little guy and weighs around 40 kg's and when he's really drunk the locals give him a beating and take his money. A few years ago we were holidaying up there and a fight started with him being knocked to the ground. My wife ran outside and hit the ring leader on the head with a lump of wood. Being the hard men that they are they all done a runner. A day later the ring leader wanted the local cops to charge my wife with assault. After listening to both sides the cops told every one to behave themselves and move on, I learned on my first visit here 25 years ago never have anything to do with locals when they start flexing their so called muscles. In saying that I armed my self in case the attack started on my wife. These aren't kids, they're 40 yo plus who should know better. My visits up their are only when requested by my wife, 3-4 times each year.

What a f"ing mess. IMHO, the worst display of Thai culture and lack of Thai critical thinking. A classic example of unacceptable mob rule. No justification for beating up an individual with a history of pschiatric treatment for posting "naughty words" on social media. Report him to the police and let them do their job.

Wow. the guy in the white shirt doing the slapping and kneeing is a real tough guy. Striking a man being restrained by his minions. What a real man. I bet he gets scores of women following him around 🙄

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

officers said he could file a complaint there over the assault.

No, it is not for the assault victim to file a complaint, especially if retaliation from attackers might be expected.

Assault and Battery is a CRIME and those who assaulted him provided proof of THEIR OWN attacks on the subject not to mention bodily evidence of physical assault. Perhaps police are afraid violence that might be directed at them to proceed investigation of B&A from the attackers.

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

So a new trend?? First take justice in their own hand and beat people up before filing a complaint of section 112?? I supposed it was first file a complaint. And what will happen now with the attackers? I suppose it is not allowed to take justice in your own hands

Only regarding the some Thai's assault before filing a report or contacting Police

This seems to be acceptable to a certain degree behavior in some areas of Thai Society.

Dealing with it regarding school kid wanting to start trouble with girlfriends son. It was over something trivial.

Seems that some Thai's aren't taught how to handle a disagreement, misunderstanding, or the slightest rejection.

They either Elevate dramatically the issue, result to physical conflict, hire thug to get "Revenge" or become Overly Emotional and Dramatic.

Us Foreigners need to understand this to help avoid Conflict and deescalate situations

Edited July 24Jul 24 by J Branche

Disgusting behaviour- an ignorant mob "bravely" attack collectively a small man- and after their assault they then decide to be law abiding citizens and use the law to report him to the Police

They are disgusting and I hope they are prosecuted for assault at the very least

Kong Ruean Rok is obviously a group of violent, extremist thugs who think dividing Thailand is a great idea. Who did attacked a mentally ill man protect?

2 hours ago, trucking said:

Wow. the guy in the white shirt doing the slapping and kneeing is a real tough guy. Striking a man being restrained by his minions. What a real man. I bet he gets scores of women following him around 🙄

He probably doesn't because his type love beating up females too. I've seen these weirdos go right off, when they lose their temper they lose the right to call themselves human.

Barbarism and thuggery such as this must be prosecuted in any democratic state otherwise the state justice system becomes arbitrary and chaotic.

Another form of extremism. So dumb they think they do good ... and the police plays along? I'm pretty sure many Thais do not agree with this.

Who the hell do they think they are? Public flogging, immediately! To set an example!

Seems like some of the guys are police or army.

7 hours ago, Rams86 said:

My visits up their are only when requested by my wife, 3-4 times each year.

More proof that villages are uncivilized and backward.

6 hours ago, Legal Lifeline said:

Disgusting behaviour- an ignorant mob "bravely" attack collectively a small man- and after their assault they then decide to be law abiding citizens and use the law to report him to the Police

They are disgusting and I hope they are prosecuted for assault at the very least

They lodged the 112 complaint against him on the 21st....before they carried out the attack on the 22nd..

Edited July 24Jul 24 by Enoon

9 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

Most states are fiercely protective of their monopoly on violence so this kind of thing is punished. Attacking a mentally ill man is surprising; the fact that it was a mob of cowards is par for the course.

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the Thammmasat Massacre (6th October 1976).

Energised by its approach these loyal "patriots" were channeling its spirit.

I am confident that the "State" will maintain its composure and that, thanks to their timely prior lodging of a 112 complaint, the perpetrators will not be substantially inconvenienced.

Threat made 20th.

112 complaint lodged 21st.

Attack 22nd.

Edited July 24Jul 24 by Enoon

16 hours ago, Enoon said:

They lodged the 112 complaint against him on the 21st....before they carried out the attack on the 22nd..

That makes the violent gang assault okay then ?