Prayut: Terror suspect invited to army camp, not arrested

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Prayuth: Terror Suspect Invited to Army Camp, Not Arrested
By Khaosod English


Nattathida Meewangpla in front of martial court in Bangkok on 17 March 2015.

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has insisted that soldiers did not harm a 36-year-old woman who was held incommunicado in military custody for six days and later accused of participating in a terror plot.

The general's comment came in response to outcry from human rights groups concerning the disappearance of former volunteer medic Nattathida Meewangpla, who was taken from her residence without explanation by five soldiers on 11 March.

After six days of detention, during which Nattathida was unable to contact the outside world, soldiers transferred her to police headquarters, where she was charged with conspiring in a terror network.

According to Gen. Prayuth, the military merely "invited" Nattathida to "talk."

"We didn't arrest her at all. We simply invited her at her home for a talk, and she came," Gen. Prayuth said. "If we had announced it, there would have been a panic."

He continued, "We only invite people and release them. She understood and cooperated with us. It's only a discussion. We didn't arrest her. If we arrested her, she would have been in jail."

Nattathida is currently being held in prison while she awaits trial for terrorism charges.

"Let me stress that we never harmed her,” Gen. Prayuth said. "We are even less likely to harm her because she's a woman. Can soldiers be that cruel? If so, we wouldn't have lasted til this day."

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1426678632&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-03-19

[BSJ]

No sense in harming her until there is a 'Guilty' verdict.......then bring out the firing squad.

[JOC]

"After she had enjoyed our hospitality and home cooked meals for six days, we escorted her straight to jail"

The lies and stupidity continues.....................

[Thai at Heart]

These people are very scary

[JOC]

>> Can soldiers be that cruel? If so, we wouldn't have lasted til this day."<< Quote

Not exactly like people have a choice...................

[pmarlin]

Does that invitation come with an RSVP.

[NongKhaiKid]

Army : " Would you like to come to our camp for a talk ? "

Nattathida : " Am I under arrest ? "

Army : " No, just being invited for a talk "

Nattathida : " Can I refuse ? "

Army : " No "

Nattathida : " Then I AM under arrest ".

Edited March 18, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[englishoak]

Do I detect some sarcasm there from the PM ?

[Mango Bob]

It was an invitation she just couldn't turn down.

[ldiablo]

"We didn't arrest her. If we arrested her, she would be in jail.

Nattathida is currently being held in prison while she awaits trail for terrorism charges.

Ummm to me General it sounds like you arrested her.

[ldiablo]

This guy really doesn't think his population is very intelligent does he.

[apetley]

"Can soldiers be that cruel?"

Ask the relatives of those killed at Thammasat University, Tak Bai and Krue Se Mosque.

[LuckyLew]

Yes she was invited .... but she was not allowed to say "no"

[phoenixdoglover]

Hello class.

Today's word is "Orwellian".

As in, "the General's statement was Orwellian, because it redefined arrest and detention as an invitation for discussion".

Now, can anyone give me the definition of "outrageous"?

[tx22cb]

Dear beloved PM,

If you decide to "invite" me (or any other farangs) to "have a conversation", please send me a letter or a SMS, and not 5 armed soldiers.

And my answer would be "No, thank you" anyway.

Yours etc.

[whybother]

"We didn't arrest her. If we arrested her, she would be in jail.

Nattathida is currently being held in prison while she awaits trail for terrorism charges.

Ummm to me General it sounds like you arrested her.

Actually, she is in prison after being handed over to the police.

Before that she was just staying with the military voluntarily. .......

[ldiablo]

The police are being run by the military these days anyway so in reality there is no difference.

[JOC]

This guy really doesn't think his population is very intelligent does he.

He might actually have a point there.................

[SaamBaht]

It was an invitation she just couldn't turn down.

An offer she couldn't refuse? ...the Italians have a word for that but I just can't think of it. A little help.

[Somtamnication]

Funny story. A long time ago, I read a tale of a boy and a girl being invited, while lost in the forest, into a lovely sweet house by a lovely, kind lady.

[lildragon]

So wait.

At first it was denied that she was taken, then confirmed that she was and now confirmed that she was but that she was 'invited' and went on her own will (despite her family saying she was forcibly taken by plain clothes soldiers) before finally turning up in police custody (is she still or there or not?)

General Gaff keeps goose stepping his foot into his own mouth, his rank and file behind him doing a great job at gaffing too.

[DM07]

Another try at comedy, dear general?

[EnglishJohn]

So just to be clear, how many people arrested by the Junta have disappeared and how many have been released unharmed after a few days ?.

Considering the low-life tactics of Pheu-Thai and their supporters, it all seems much more civilised than what they might expect.

What a shame so many of Thaksin's enemies did not get the same courtesy - particularly during the 'drug wars' where anyone they didn't like got erased (in their thousands).

Of course we all know by now that gross hypocrisy is one of the better qualities of red-shirts - so keep on criticising.

[Lupatria]

I spent my last birthday all by myself. However, the photo gave me an idea how to "invite" people to my next one.

[sweatalot]

What's wrong with arresting a bomb attack suspect?

If the police can't be trusted - the military has again to do their job

Finally transferring her to the police after interrogation so that police cannot forge any more

But here the anti coup fanboys (true color is red) use everything to bend it the way they like it.

[Bluespunk]

Erm, if she was suspected of terrorism then I would hope she was arrested rather than invited.

[Fat Haggis]

I've noticed that here on TVF a theree no such thing as innocent until proven guilty and a breeding ground for bigots, but hey it's great entertainment value !!

[Just1Voice]

What's wrong with arresting a bomb attack suspect?

If the police can't be trusted - the military has again to do their job

Finally transferring her to the police after interrogation so that police cannot forge any more

But here the anti coup fanboys (true color is red) use everything to bend it the way they like it.

Ohh, I don't know. Maybe some of us just seem to have problems with fascist, dictatorial tactics, that has nothing to do with what color of shirt you wear.

[JOC]

So just to be clear, how many people arrested by the Junta have disappeared and how many have been released unharmed after a few days ?.

Considering the low-life tactics of Pheu-Thai and their supporters, it all seems much more civilised than what they might expect.

What a shame so many of Thaksin's enemies did not get the same courtesy - particularly during the 'drug wars' where anyone they didn't like got erased (in their thousands).

Of course we all know by now that gross hypocrisy is one of the better qualities of red-shirts - so keep on criticising.

[NongKhaiKid]

What's wrong with arresting a bomb attack suspect?

If the police can't be trusted - the military has again to do their job

Finally transferring her to the police after interrogation so that police cannot forge any more

But here the anti coup fanboys (true color is red) use everything to bend it the way they like it.

Ohh, I don't know. Maybe some of us just seem to have problems with fascist, dictatorial tactics, that has nothing to do with what color of shirt you wear.

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