Military releases activist after ‘forced vacation’

The military has released an activist who was held in custody for five days for threatening to wear a red shirt on the cremation day of the late King Bhumibol.   

Ekkachai Hongkangwan, a political activist and former lèse majesté convict, was freed at around 3 pm on 28 October 2017.

He was arrested on 24 October and detained for five days in resorts in Kanchanaburi Province by four police officers and one soldier.

He said he was given 5,000 baht and taken to several attractions in the province.    

The soldiers arrested him after he posted on his Facebook account that he planned to wear a red shirt, an anti-establishment symbol, on 26 October, the day of the cremation of the late King when Thai people were expected to wear black.

He alleged that three soldiers dragged him out of his house during the arrest, resulting in physical injuries.

Ekkachai said that he will file a complaint against the three.

Ekkachai Hongkangwan (file photo)

 

Read related news: Military arrests activist over plan to wear red shirt on cremation day

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”