The authorities have summoned a student activist who planned to hold a pro-election rally in Chiang Mai. Meanwhile, the police are searching for a pro-election protester in Buriram.
On 13 February 2018, a student activist (name withheld due to privacy concerns) from the Liberal Assembly of Chiang Mai University for Democracy (LACMUD) revealed that the police had summoned him after learning that the group plans to hold a pro-election protest on 14 February in front of the university.
The student reported to Phuping Rajanivej Police Station, but the officer who summoned him was absent. He added that the authorities also know detailed personal information about him, such as the venues of classes he has to attend each week. The activist assumed that the university provided this information to the authorities.
He stated that the LACMUD had asked the police for permission to hold the activity but the authorities had denied the request, reasoning that the group has to seek approval from the university. However, the group insisted on staging the rally.
In a related development, Yupa Saengsai, a red shirt, told Prachatai that police officers had visited her house in Buriram after she participated in last weekend’s pro-election protest at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. The authorities claimed that she had violated a junta order.
“I’m not worried, but people around me are very afraid. My mom, my dad and my child were worried when they found out,” said Yupa. “Personally, I don’t feel afraid of anything. I’ve chosen this path. This kind of thing is what I have to face. If they arrange an activity next time, I will go again.”
In April 2016, Yupa was arrested for joining a protest that urged the junta to free eight individuals prosecuted for mocking the junta head Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on Facebook, but the authorities released her without charge.
Yupha Saengsai
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