A deputy junta head alleged that there are people who planed to create chaos around the upcoming Royal Funeral.

On 2 October 2017, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, a deputy junta head and Defence Minister, said at the meeting about security issues during the upcoming Royal Funeral for the late King Bhumibol on 26 October.

“The intelligence found that there are groups of people inside and outside the country who are preparing to create chaos during the royal funeral, but I will not ask for cooperation from those people because they are people with bad intentions. Therefore, security units will deploy forces without lax,” said Prawit.

Gen Chalermchai Sitthisat, Chief of the Royal Thai Army, added “These groups of people are fugitives of Article 112 [of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law] who are living abroad. They do not dare to come to Thailand, but use social media for their activities.”

He said people should cooperate with the authorities by giving information about the activities of people who intend to stir up chaos during the Royal Funeral.  

The army chief said Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, assigned Gen Prawit to oversee the security issues of the event.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwan (left)