Ex-teacher charged with sedition for Thai protest support

[webfact]

Ex-teacher charged with sedition for Thai protest support

BANGKOK (AP) — A 77-year-old retired schoolteacher in Thailand was stopped as he was leaving the country on vacation and arrested on sedition charges for giving flowers to an anti-military protester earlier this year, officials said Tuesday.

A lawyer for Preecha Kaewbanpaew said his client gave flowers to, and briefly walked with, one of four demonstrators who staged a peaceful protest in March against the use of military courts to try civilians. The practice, mainly for political offenses, began last year after the army overthrew an elected civilian government.

The broadly defined sedition law provides for up to seven years in prison for inciting unrest. Preecha was arrested Sunday and released on bail by a military court on Monday after spending the night at a police station, police Col. Rangsan Praditpol said.

Thailand's ruling junta has clamped down on dissent, saying it is restoring order after almost a decade of sometimes-violent domestic political conflict.

Preecha was also charged with violating a law established by the junta banning political gatherings of more than five people, even though he was just one of a small crowd that watched the protesters. The ban is inconsistently enforced.

Winthai Chatmontri, a lawyer for Free Thai Legal Aid, said Preecha said he just gave flowers to Pansak Srithep, a pro-democracy activist and father of a man who was fatally shot during anti-government protests in 2010, and was following the crowd when a policeman convinced him to give him his phone number.

Preecha only learned about the charges and an arrest warrant against him when he was stopped by immigration police before leaving the country for Laos on vacation, Winthai said.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-10-28

[robblok]

Over the top, its good that the government suppresses the reds (dont want the killings and street protests back) but they should not overdo it. This is one of those cases where they go over the top.

[Snig27]

Over the top, its good that the government suppresses the reds (dont want the killings and street protests back) but they should not overdo it. This is one of those cases where they go over the top.

You do understand that by "suppressing the reds" you are guaranteeing future bloodshed in the streets of Thailand? You can't strip away the voice of millions of Thais to protect a privileged minority and not expect blowback.

And no, this is not "over the top" for this lot, it's par for the course.

[AGareth2]

These OAPs

They are dangerous

[rkidlad]

Don't worry. The road is clear now to hold elections in 2017.

[nikmar]

"over the top" is putting it very very mildly. It's outrageous. A 77 year old man gave a peaceful protester some flowers. That's it!

[robblok]

Over the top, its good that the government suppresses the reds (dont want the killings and street protests back) but they should not overdo it. This is one of those cases where they go over the top.

You do understand that by "suppressing the reds" you are guaranteeing future bloodshed in the streets of Thailand? You can't strip away the voice of millions of Thais to protect a privileged minority and not expect blowback.

And no, this is not "over the top" for this lot, it's par for the course.

No by suppressing the reds there is no grantee for future bloodshed. If you let those guys run free with their armed terrorist wing then you get bloodshed. So keeping them out of mass demonstrations saves lives. So far it has worked even though you don't like it.

I still feel this is over the top but if you think its ok then so be it.

[robblok]

"over the top" is putting it very very mildly. It's outrageous. A 77 year old man gave a peaceful protester some flowers. That's it!

Sure its putting it mildly can agree with that its crazy. I don't know what other things this guy has done but if this was the extent of his crimes its outrageous.

[Morakot]

[Just1Voice]

This is the sign of a scared regime, who is desperate to hold on to their power and control any way they can.

[Morakot]

gave flowers to, and briefly walked with, one of four demonstrators who staged a peaceful protest in March against the use of military courts to try civilians.

[...]

Preecha was also charged with violating a law established by the junta banning political gatherings of more than five people

[lovelomsak]

Why do people keep talking about suppressing the reds shirts ever since the coup. When the reason the military took over was because of Shutdown Bangkok,the reds had nothing to do with the actions to Shutdown Bangkok. they were the victims not the aggressors.The group that did the Shutdown Bangkok were not red shirt affiliated as far as I know.

[lovelomsak]

gave flowers to, and briefly walked with, one of four demonstrators who staged a peaceful protest in March against the use of military courts to try civilians.

[...]

Preecha was also charged with violating a law established by the junta banning political gatherings of more than five people

Yes very hard to see what law was broken. Law says more than 5 protesters. In this instance there we were 4. So help me here what law was broken?

Edited October 28, 2015 by lovelomsak

[robblok]

Why do people keep talking about suppressing the reds shirts ever since the coup. When the reason the military took over was because of Shutdown Bangkok,the reds had nothing to do with the actions to Shutdown Bangkok. they were the victims not the aggressors.The group that did the Shutdown Bangkok were not red shirt affiliated as far as I know.

They were the ones doing the bombings and killings. I could give loads of links proving that. Everyone knows that shame that you act ignorant.

[lovelomsak]

Why do people keep talking about suppressing the reds shirts ever since the coup. When the reason the military took over was because of Shutdown Bangkok,the reds had nothing to do with the actions to Shutdown Bangkok. they were the victims not the aggressors.The group that did the Shutdown Bangkok were not red shirt affiliated as far as I know.

They were the ones doing the bombings and killings. I could give loads of links proving that. Everyone knows that shame that you act ignorant.

Sorry Rob just using your post to ask a question.Please donot bother to reply.

Does anyone else here in the forum remember the redshirts bombng and killing during Shut Down Bangkok? I cannot remember any red shirts involved.. In my memory it was a group led by one man who is not red shirt.

[Enoon]

Why do people keep talking about suppressing the reds shirts ever since the coup. When the reason the military took over was because of Shutdown Bangkok,the reds had nothing to do with the actions to Shutdown Bangkok. they were the victims not the aggressors.The group that did the Shutdown Bangkok were not red shirt affiliated as far as I know.

They were the ones doing the bombings and killings. I could give loads of links proving that. Everyone knows that shame that you act ignorant.

Best not to have any flowers in your possession on Sunday. You might run the risk of being arrested for "suspicion of intention to be making the present to individuals wearing items being red in colour".

Strictly against the rules in Kim Jong Prayuths "Nation of Unbridled Happiness" (All In Honour etc... of course).

[Thailand]

Why do people keep talking about suppressing the reds shirts ever since the coup. When the reason the military took over was because of Shutdown Bangkok,the reds had nothing to do with the actions to Shutdown Bangkok. they were the victims not the aggressors.The group that did the Shutdown Bangkok were not red shirt affiliated as far as I know.

They were the ones doing the bombings and killings. I could give loads of links proving that. Everyone knows that shame that you act ignorant.

Wasn't this all well orchestrated by a failed monk and certain other parties?

[This Thing of Darkness]

Over the top, its good that the government suppresses the reds (dont want the killings and street protests back) but they should not overdo it. This is one of those cases where they go over the top.

It has been mainly"Reds" killed in the street , you lot make me laugh the way you beieve a convenient truth

[NongKhaiKid]

This is the sign of a scared regime, who is desperate to hold on to their power and control any way they can.

Being scared can turn into a deep seated fear, next is paranoia and then anything can happen.

I'm not saying it will happen here but it has happened elsewhere where certain types of regimes start believing they're losing control and will do whatever it takes to get it back.

[lovelomsak]

This is the sign of a scared regime, who is desperate to hold on to their power and control any way they can.

Being scared can turn into a deep seated fear, next is paranoia and then anything can happen.

I'm not saying it will happen here but it has happened elsewhere where certain types of regimes start believing they're losing control and will do whatever it takes to get it back.

That is my fear right now too. An unstable regime can get pretty nasty. I personally have stopped bringing money into Thailand and am spending what I have here at present,it will take me few years to spend it and if nothing to serious happens before it is all gone will rethink at that time whether to stay on or not. I am settled here but will leave it it goes to far. I am giving it time to see what happens.

[robblok]

Why do people keep talking about suppressing the reds shirts ever since the coup. When the reason the military took over was because of Shutdown Bangkok,the reds had nothing to do with the actions to Shutdown Bangkok. they were the victims not the aggressors.The group that did the Shutdown Bangkok were not red shirt affiliated as far as I know.

They were the ones doing the bombings and killings. I could give loads of links proving that. Everyone knows that shame that you act ignorant.

Wasn't this all well orchestrated by a failed monk and certain other parties?

No it was not.. just read into the trad killings where grenades were thrown into a crowd of anti government protesters after that automatic fire was shot into the crowd 2 children died. When the people at a red-shirt meeting heard about this they all started to cheer. That was until Tida was smart enough to see how this exposed the red shirts true nature and the PR fallout and made it stop.

[DeepInTheForest]

From a strategic standpoint, doesn't seem well thought-out. One would think it would almost guarantee cracks in the monolith. Certainly everybody in the bus can't be in favor of this.

"History repeats itself, the first time as tragedy, the second as farce."

[Just1Voice]

This is the sign of a scared regime, who is desperate to hold on to their power and control any way they can.

Being scared can turn into a deep seated fear, next is paranoia and then anything can happen.

I'm not saying it will happen here but it has happened elsewhere where certain types of regimes start believing they're losing control and will do whatever it takes to get it back.

NKK, these clowns are on a slippery slope that is getting steeper and steeper by the day. They have totally tanked the economy, there are no concrete "reforms", other than regulating lottery ticket prices, and they don't have a clue that the rest of the civilized world is laughing at them. The man in charge, in typical megalomaniac style, honestly believes he has all the answers, but turns to instant shit when anyone or anything shows him that he doesn't History will not remember him, and his cronies, well at all.

[robblok]

This is the sign of a scared regime, who is desperate to hold on to their power and control any way they can.

Being scared can turn into a deep seated fear, next is paranoia and then anything can happen.

I'm not saying it will happen here but it has happened elsewhere where certain types of regimes start believing they're losing control and will do whatever it takes to get it back.

NKK, these clowns are on a slippery slope that is getting steeper and steeper by the day. They have totally tanked the economy, there are no concrete "reforms", other than regulating lottery ticket prices, and they don't have a clue that the rest of the civilized world is laughing at them. The man in charge, in typical megalomaniac style, honestly believes he has all the answers, but turns to instant shit when anyone or anything shows him that he doesn't History will not remember him, and his cronies, well at all.

I thought you were smart and educated.. if you truly are you know you cant blame the current government for the economic problems. They are mostly based on the world economy and policies and neglect of the previous goverments as they never did anything about the fishing and left a huge debt with the rice program.

You are partly right however they haven't done enough and the leader is a PR disaster. YL was no PR disaster but a puppet. Thailand deserves better as both of them.

[jayboy]

This is the sign of a scared regime, who is desperate to hold on to their power and control any way they can.

Being scared can turn into a deep seated fear, next is paranoia and then anything can happen.

I'm not saying it will happen here but it has happened elsewhere where certain types of regimes start believing they're losing control and will do whatever it takes to get it back.

NKK, these clowns are on a slippery slope that is getting steeper and steeper by the day. They have totally tanked the economy, there are no concrete "reforms", other than regulating lottery ticket prices, and they don't have a clue that the rest of the civilized world is laughing at them. The man in charge, in typical megalomaniac style, honestly believes he has all the answers, but turns to instant shit when anyone or anything shows him that he doesn't History will not remember him, and his cronies, well at all.

I thought you were smart and educated.. if you truly are you know you cant blame the current government for the economic problems. They are mostly based on the world economy and policies and neglect of the previous goverments as they never did anything about the fishing and left a huge debt with the rice program.

You are partly right however they haven't done enough and the leader is a PR disaster. YL was no PR disaster but a puppet. Thailand deserves better as both of them.

You are mistaken.Certainly the global economic climate is not favourable and the Junta cannot of course be blamed for its impact on Thailand.But risk mitigation has been weak and economic management incompetent.Prayuth recognised this by reorganising his economic team.Overall a failing grade.

[robblok]

NKK, these clowns are on a slippery slope that is getting steeper and steeper by the day. They have totally tanked the economy, there are no concrete "reforms", other than regulating lottery ticket prices, and they don't have a clue that the rest of the civilized world is laughing at them. The man in charge, in typical megalomaniac style, honestly believes he has all the answers, but turns to instant shit when anyone or anything shows him that he doesn't History will not remember him, and his cronies, well at all.

I thought you were smart and educated.. if you truly are you know you cant blame the current government for the economic problems. They are mostly based on the world economy and policies and neglect of the previous goverments as they never did anything about the fishing and left a huge debt with the rice program.

You are partly right however they haven't done enough and the leader is a PR disaster. YL was no PR disaster but a puppet. Thailand deserves better as both of them.

You are mistaken.Certainly the global economic climate is not favourable and the Junta cannot of course be blamed for its impact on Thailand.But risk mitigation has been weak and economic management incompetent.Prayuth recognised this by reorganising his economic team.Overall a failing grade.

I am not mistaken, its mainly due to the global economic climate and I admit a smaller part to some bad decisions on the economic team. But the large part comes from the economic climate and mistakes of the previous governments. The whole fishing thing is not something that can be blamed on Prayut, same as the aviation problems, these were things ignored by the previous governments and have an impact on the economy too.

[ldiablo]

Yeah, putting a 77 year old retired school teacher in jail is a bit over the top in their quest to restore order. Will he be put in front of an anti aircraft gun next? I think most know where I'm going with that last comment.

[ldiablo]

This is the sign of a scared regime, who is desperate to hold on to their power and control any way they can.

Being scared can turn into a deep seated fear, next is paranoia and then anything can happen.

I'm not saying it will happen here but it has happened elsewhere where certain types of regimes start believing they're losing control and will do whatever it takes to get it back.

That is my fear right now too. An unstable regime can get pretty nasty. I personally have stopped bringing money into Thailand and am spending what I have here at present,it will take me few years to spend it and if nothing to serious happens before it is all gone will rethink at that time whether to stay on or not. I am settled here but will leave it it goes to far. I am giving it time to see what happens.

I can help you spend it if you're wanting to get out sooner.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Next it will be Thais and foreigner sympathizers who support the opposition through social media.

[GeckosDiving]

Why do people keep talking about suppressing the reds shirts ever since the coup. When the reason the military took over was because of Shutdown Bangkok,the reds had nothing to do with the actions to Shutdown Bangkok. they were the victims not the aggressors.The group that did the Shutdown Bangkok were not red shirt affiliated as far as I know.