Activist 'Ja New' and his three colleagues freed by the military court

[webfact]

Ja New and his three colleagues freed by the military court



BANGKOK: -- Political activist Ja New and his three colleagues were freed Thursday after the Bangkok Military Court rejected a request by Thonburi railway police to have them detained for questioning.

Ja New or Sirivich Serithiwat and his three colleagues of the so-called New Democracy movement were arrested by military personnel on Wednesday night for defying court’s summonses to report themselves to the court.

The group’s lawyer challenged the Thonburi railway police’s request to have them detained claiming that the police had already questioned most of the witnesses and that the group could not interfere with the witnesses.

Regarding his arrest Wednesday night at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus, Ja New said he would return to Klong Luang police station to follow up on his complaint against those responsible for his arrest. He alleged that he was mistreated during his brief detention by the military.

Apparently unperturbed by his latest arrest, the activist vowed to carry on with his defiance against the military junta “until it is out of power.”

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/147638


-- Thai PBS 2016-01-22

[webfact]

Activist 'Ja New' to File Charges Over Alleged Abuse
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Sirawith Serithiwat, seated at right, sits next to his mother, Patnaree Arunyapun, at Nimitmai Police Station in Thonburi province early Thursday morning after soldiers transferred him to police custody.

BANGKOK — A pro-democracy activist briefly abducted by soldiers near his university last night said he will file charges against the security officers he accuses of assaulting him.

Shortly after the military court released him from custody Thursday afternoon, activist Sirawith Seritiwat announced he will take legal action against the soldiers who forced him into a vehicle in front of his university late Wednesday night for allegedly blindfolding, punching and kicking him.

“I am now gathering all the evidence,” Sirawit, aka “Ja New,” said by telephone. He said he would file the charges tomorrow at the Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani.

Sirawith was previously wanted by authorities for calling attention to alleged corruption in an army construction project in December but had refused to turn himself in. At about 10:30pm Wednesday, masked soldiers in a pick-up truck apprehended him as he walked near Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus, where is a fourth-year student.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1453379748&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2016-01-22

[englishoak]

Good, a brave lad that cares about where his country is being dragged

Think we all are looking forward to it being"out of power"

[Reigntax]

Thailand needs more pople like him unwilling to accept the military's constant interference in politics for the sole purpose of maintaining power and self benefit.

[MZurf]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

Edited January 22, 2016 by MZurf

[Johnniey]

Good, a brave lad that cares about where his country is being dragged

Think we all are looking forward to it being"out of power"

I'd like you to remember those words when this government is ousted. There will be a lot of blood. I am not one of your 'we' that is looking forward to it, knowing what it needs to happen.

[Eric Loh]

Abducted and rough-up by masked soldiers than send to a police station and released by a military court decision. Looks like a very uncoordinated effort and an intimidation stunt which backfired. Human rights alerted and students more defiant. The junta keep shooting themself in the foot.

[soalbundy]

Abducted and rough-up by masked soldiers than send to a police station and released by a military court decision. Looks like a very uncoordinated effort and an intimidation stunt which backfired. Human rights alerted and students more defiant. The junta keep shooting themself in the foot.

We don't know for sure if he was roughed up, i see here a budding politician making a name for himself who,after a few years at the trough, will become just as corrupt as the rest, he may have his ideals now but you cant beat the system. Yes i am a cynic.

[aussieinthailand]

Abducted and rough-up by masked soldiers than send to a police station and released by a military court decision. Looks like a very uncoordinated effort and an intimidation stunt which backfired. Human rights alerted and students more defiant. The junta keep shooting themself in the foot.

An arrest warrant to appear before military court.

then arrested.

then police want him to detained longer.

then followed by his released by military court...

Something's just not quite adding up???

[springheeled jack]

I applaud the man for his stance against the junta but he should be aware of their powers he may finish up being adjusted .

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Abducted and rough-up by masked soldiers than send to a police station and released by a military court decision. Looks like a very uncoordinated effort and an intimidation stunt which backfired. Human rights alerted and students more defiant. The junta keep shooting themself in the foot.

An arrest warrant to appear before military court.

then arrested.

then police want him to detained longer.

then followed by his released by military court...

Something's just not quite adding up???

Same thought here -- something's weird.

AFAIK, it WAS a military court that approved the arrest warrants for this guy and the other 5 people with him based on a request from the police. Now, according to ThaiPBS, after the soldiers arrest him based on that warrant, the military court releases him.

Huh???

[Squeegee]

"Apparently unperturbed by his latest arrest, the activist vowed to carry on with his defiance against the military junta “until it is out of power.”

Thank goodness there is one, possibly four Thai people willing to stand up to these bullies.

[nahkit]

Meanwhile...

"The British Embassy in Bangkok is inviting organisations to submit concept project notes for funding under the 2016-17 Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy (MCFHRD)."

[elgordo38]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

Just call an election and like Burma they will speak. The military there thought they had a lock on power and called an election and look where that got them. Yes the Thai will endure a lot but on election day the truth comes out. Like a water buffalo slow and steady.

[elgordo38]

Abducted and rough-up by masked soldiers than send to a police station and released by a military court decision. Looks like a very uncoordinated effort and an intimidation stunt which backfired. Human rights alerted and students more defiant. The junta keep shooting themself in the foot.

An arrest warrant to appear before military court.

then arrested.

then police want him to detained longer.

then followed by his released by military court...

Something's just not quite adding up???

Same thought here -- something's weird.

AFAIK, it WAS a military court that approved the arrest warrants for this guy and the other 5 people with him based on a request from the police. Now, according to ThaiPBS, after the soldiers arrest him based on that warrant, the military court releases him.

Huh???

Not as dumb as one might think. They saw the tsunami of negative international press coming and decided to jump ship.

[MZurf]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

Just call an election and like Burma they will speak. The military there thought they had a lock on power and called an election and look where that got them. Yes the Thai will endure a lot but on election day the truth comes out. Like a water buffalo slow and steady.

The problem is that the junta is busy trying to rig the system so that it doesn't matter who win any future elections.

[jesimps]

Abducted and rough-up by masked soldiers than send to a police station and released by a military court decision. Looks like a very uncoordinated effort and an intimidation stunt which backfired. Human rights alerted and students more defiant. The junta keep shooting themself in the foot.

We don't know for sure if he was roughed up, i see here a budding politician making a name for himself who,after a few years at the trough, will become just as corrupt as the rest, he may have his ideals now but you cant beat the system. Yes i am a cynic.

No, not a cynic, just a junta fanboy in a big way.

[EnglishJohn]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

They did and the government of the time used their terrorist branch to murder THIRTY of them on the streets and injure hundreds more. Now we are in this mess to try and stop it happening again for this 'better place' you mention.

Quite a contrast to what happened to these people don't you think ?.

Where were these hypocrites then ?. Or are you conveniently ignoring that as usual ?.

[GeorgesAbitbol]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

They did and the government of the time used their terrorist branch to murder THIRTY of them on the streets and injure hundreds more. Now we are in this mess to try and stop it happening again for this 'better place' you mention.

Quite a contrast to what happened to these people don't you think ?.

Where were these hypocrites then ?. Or are you conveniently ignoring that as usual ?.

And you?

As usual defending the army, you re right it is not like they previously killed students in Thamassat, and it is well known and History prove it : Army did always a good job for this country...this one is no exception....

It is not like the army is threatening the students and lecturers in universities, or extra judicial killings or abductions, or LM trials for the only good of the established ones...nooo.... the army is all you need.

You re probably a part of the 99.4% happy with the army..

EJ, you really should start by applying to yourself what is written in your signature before writing the same thing over and over

Edited January 22, 2016 by GeorgesAbitbol

[AGareth2]

I applaud the man for his stance against the junta but he should be aware of their powers he may finish up being adjusted .

or disappearing

[MZurf]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

They did and the government of the time used their terrorist branch to murder THIRTY of them on the streets and injure hundreds more. Now we are in this mess to try and stop it happening again for this 'better place' you mention.

Quite a contrast to what happened to these people don't you think ?.

Where were these hypocrites then ?. Or are you conveniently ignoring that as usual ?.

And you?

As usual defending the army, you re right it is not like they previously killed students in Thamassat, and it is well known and History prove it : Army did always a good job for this country...this one is no exception....

It is not like the army is threatening the students and lecturers in universities, or extra judicial killings or abductions, or LM trials for the only good of the established ones...nooo.... the army is all you need.

You re probably a part of the 99.4% happy with the army..

EJ, you really should start by applying to yourself what is written in your signature before writing the same thing over and over

"EJ, you really should start by applying to yourself what is written in your signature before writing the same thing over and over"

That's one of the amazing things about EJ. He has a signature berating hypocrites yet he himself is the biggest of them all. Priceless!

Edited January 22, 2016 by MZurf

[MZurf]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

They did and the government of the time used their terrorist branch to murder THIRTY of them on the streets and injure hundreds more. Now we are in this mess to try and stop it happening again for this 'better place' you mention.

Quite a contrast to what happened to these people don't you think ?.

Where were these hypocrites then ?. Or are you conveniently ignoring that as usual ?.

"They did and the government of the time used their terrorist branch to murder THIRTY of them on the streets and injure hundreds more."

Oh John! Are you really equating the brave students standing up to the army, establishment and their dirty cronies with the rabble that formed Suthep's core supporters? The rent-a-mob rubber farmers that now get their second payment for their services through government purchase at inflated prices??

Really, John?

[djjamie]

If there were a few more million people like him that feel that breaking the law is acceptable and that making accusations without proof is fine then Thailand would be in desperate need of reform.

At the end of the day it is another student that wants to hit the front page so he can be popular with the girls at uni. Can't blame him. Maybe he could refuse to sit exams in protest and ruin his future like previous students did when protesting this current government instead of applying himself, studying hard and changing the system in the future.

When the PTP were in power the uni students were out protesting for democracy. When the military are in power a different group of students are out protesting for democracy.

Funny thing is only one side purported to practice democracy.

Edited January 22, 2016 by djjamie

[sweatalot]

Where were they when tak's and ying's gang were in government?

People too easily forget that the shin governments before this one were much worse.

Are they for democracy or against enemies of their friend?

I wonder if those student's are on tak's payroll

[tbthailand]

If there only were a few million more of people like him, who are willing to stand up for what's right for the population as a whole instead of what's right for them, then Thailand would be a much better place.

They did and the government of the time used their terrorist branch to murder THIRTY of them on the streets and injure hundreds more. Now we are in this mess to try and stop it happening again for this 'better place' you mention.

Quite a contrast to what happened to these people don't you think ?.

Where were these hypocrites then ?. Or are you conveniently ignoring that as usual ?.

These pro-democracy, anti-corruption activists were most certainly NOT in the streets with the anti-democracy protesters led by one of the most corrupt men in Thailand.

Love your arguments, they are completely feeble.

[tbthailand]

freed by the military court...

ThaiPBS is pretty generous with their use of the term "freed"...

That is "freed" until they appear before a military court, ... where I am sure they will get a fair hearing, and be promptly released without any convictions as they were only trying to highlight corruption in the same military junta...

[Dumbastheycome]

Is there some site where pics of bodily bruising can be seen? By now should be black and blue.

My pick is his defiance is for face only. Campus activists are such mostly for .

Unlike the original given perception that he was randomly abducted, he was detained after failing to comply with a summons.

The resulting outcome was that he was released after .

Where, apart from his unsubstantiated claim of abuse, is there an infringement of rights?

At the time of detainment did he submit peacefully given that he must have known a summons was ignored?

[Thechook]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-10/thai-woman-could-be-jailed-for-receiving-facebook-messages/7401696